Study of oxidative stress, homocysteine, copper & zinc in nephrotic syndrome: therapy with antioxidants, minerals and B-complex vitamins

Oxidative damage has been proposed as one of the possiblemechanism involved in the nephrotic syndrome. Strengthening thedefense system by antioxidants may provide protection againstoxidative damage. Therefore, this study was carried out toinvestigate oxidant and antioxidant status with copper, zinc andhomocysteine in nephrotic syndrome patients and the effect ofantioxidants, minerals and B-complex vitamins on oxidant andantioxidant status. The blood samples were analyzed for quantitationof malondialdehyde as index of lipid peroxide, vitamin C, totalantioxidant capacity, copper, zinc, and homocysteine. Significantlyincreased levels of serum lipid peroxide, homocysteine anddecreased levels of serum total antioxidant capacity, copper, zincand plasma vitamin C were noticed in the patients with nephroticsyndrome as compared to control subjects. However, significantreduction in lipid peroxide, homocysteine and improvement invitamin C, total antioxidant capacity, copper, and zinc activity wereobserved after treatment of antioxidants and minerals with Bcomplexvitamins.