The role of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis for the evaluation of oxidative stress in endometriosis patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in endometriosis patients by determining dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels. Patients and Methods: This prospective case-controlled study was conducted at a tertiary gynecology clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. 86 patients previously diagnosed with endometriosis and persistent endometriomas were included in the study group. 60 patients who visited the clinic during the study period for routine gynecological control were included in the control group. Thiol/disulfide parameters and IMA levels were determined from the serum samples. Results: When the thiol/disulfide parameters were compared between the study and the control group no significant difference was observed (p=0.49). Mean disulfide level in the control group was 18.58 +/- 5.73 mu mol/L, and in the study group was 18.61 +/- 7.37 mu mol/L. Levels were statistically similar in both groups (p=0.98). In addition, there were no differences between the groups in terms of IMA and albumin levels. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed no significant difference in the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis among the endometriosis patients. Although, it has been accepted as a potential oxidative stress marker in other chronic inflammatory diseases, its use in determining the systemic oxidative stress level in endometriosis patients is limited.