Efficacy of antioxidant therapy in patients with acute and chronic purulent otitis media

The examination of 90 patients referred to hospital for otitis media purulenta (OMP) and 25 healthy subjects included assessment of lipid peroxidation by content of malonic dialdehyde and intensity of chemoluminescence. Enzymes of antioxidant system were also measured (superoxide dismutase and catalase in blood plasma and wash-offs from the acoustic meatus and postoperative cavities). The measurements gave different values for the above parameters for healthy and OMP subjects. Conventional treatment reduced levels of LPO products and raised the activity of antioxidant enzymes, but control values were reached only in adjuvant parenteral administration of lipostabil and local administration of alpha-tocopherol. Also, earlier relief of clinical symptoms shortened the hospital stay.