Serum Paraoxonase/Arylesterase Activities and Malondialdehyde Levels in Trauma Patients

Objective: Paraoxonase (PON) is an aromatic esterase that requires calcium for activity. Paraoxonase is believed to play an important role in protection of LDL and HDL particles from oxidation, in antioxidant effect against lipid peroxidation on cellular membranes, and in anti-inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations associated with serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in trauma patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four patients with multiple traumas and twenty-one healthy subjects were included in the study. Serum basal/NaCl-stimulated PON-1 and ARE activities, and MDA, LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels in serum samples were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Serum basal and NaCl-stimulated PON-1 activities and ARE activity were lower in the patients with trauma than in the healthy controls. The mean serum MDA level in the patient group was higher than the mean serum MDA level in the control group. LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels of the study groups were not significantly different. Conclusion: Lower PON-1 and ARE activities in patients with physical trauma may result from increased oxidative stress after the trauma.