Disrupted antioxidant defense and oxidative stress in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comprehensive biomarker analysis

Aim: This study aimed to assess oxidative stress in ALS patients by measuring antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving 29 ALS patients and 24 healthy controls. Blood samples were analyzed for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) assay. Results: ALS patients showed significantly reduced levels of CAT, SOD, GST, and GSH, whereas GPx activity and TBARs were elevated. A negative correlation between TBARs and GST indicated impaired detoxification capacity. Principal Component Analysis demonstrated clear separation between groups, primarily driven by GPx and TBARs. Conclusion: These findings suggest a pronounced oxidative imbalance in ALS patients, marked by diminished antioxidant defenses and elevated lipid peroxidation. This imbalance may contribute to disease progression by promoting oxidative damage and motor neuron degeneration. Monitoring these biomarkers could provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms and support the development of new therapies.