Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in sarcoidosis patients

Abstract Objectives Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterised by enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and alterations in the circulating lipid profile. Both attributes are thought to play a role in its pathogenesis. However, current knowledge regarding the significance of blood oxidative stress/anti-oxidant defence as well as alterations in lipid status parameters in sarcoidosis is scarce. The aim of our study was to assess these parameters and their inter-relationships, as well as their potential for patient-control discrimination. Design and methods Oxidative stress status and anti-oxidant defence parameters were determined in serum and erythrocytes and lipid status parameters were assessed in the serum of 213 treated sarcoidosis patients and 90 controls. Results Malondialdehyde, superoxide anion, total oxidant status, prooxidant–antioxidant balance and triglycerides were significantly higher whereas total anti-oxidant status, superoxide dismutase activity and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in sarcoidosis patients compared with controls. Total sulfhydryl group content was higher in patients compared with controls. Serum and erythrocyte malondialdehyde exhibited the strongest ability to predict disease presence. Elevated oxidative stress was characterised by higher clinical accuracy compared with lipid status abnormality. Some oxidative stress and lipid status markers were significantly associated in sarcoidosis. Conclusions Sarcoidosis is characterised by increased oxidative stress, diminished overall anti-oxidative protection and alterations in the circulating lipid profile. Both oxidative stress and lipid status parameters demonstrated the potential to discriminate sarcoidosis from controls which was particularly evident from the point of view of oxidative stress status parameters. Association between these parameters may indicate an increased risk for atherosclerosis development.