Oxidative stress (OS) represents an imbalance between the production of reactive species and the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms. It plays an important role in the development and progression of numerous diseases. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the role of OS in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), as its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of OS in a population of children with INS, across different phases of the disease. For this purpose, levels of oxidants (d-ROM test) and antioxidants (PAT test) were measured in plasma samples of children with INS, and, according to measured levels, the oxidative stress index (OSI), representing the ratio between oxidants and antioxidants, was calculated. Measurements were performed at disease onset or relapse, at remission attainment and in the period of stable remission, post imunosuppressive treatment with corticosteroids.
The results showed that OS levels vary across different phases of the disease. At disease onset or relapse, higher levels of oxidants with limited antioxidant capacity were observed, while during remission oxidant levels decreased and antioxidant capacity gradually improved. The highest antioxidant capacity was observed during stable remission, however, in most cases, oxidant levels remained elevated, indicating presence of latent OS even in absence of characteristic clinical symptoms.
Our findings confirm that OS is an important companion of INS in children and that it varies according to disease activity. Monitoring oxidant and antioxidant levels could therefore serve as a useful supplement to standard clinical management of INS patients, both for assessing disease activity and for evaluating treatment efficacy and early detection of relapses.
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