Lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide in the evaluation of benign and malignant pleural effusion

Background: Pleural effusion is a common complication of various diseases. Free radicals are known to produce damage in many biological tissues. Free radicals exert their cytotoxic effect by causing lipid peroxidation which is believed to be responsible for the exudation of fluid into the pleural space. Aim: Evaluation of the association of benign and malignant pleural effusion with the free radical induced pleurisy by measurement of lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide activity. Methods: Case control study was conducted on 50 cases of benign pleural effusion, 50 cases of malignant pleural effusion and 15 cases of healthy controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by spectrophotometric method with TBA. Nitric Oxide activity was measured by spectrophotometric method using Griess reaction. Results: Our results showed significant increase of MDAs level in both groups of patients: benign and malignant in comparison with control group. Significant increase in the concentrations of nitrate /nitrite depicting total nitric oxide was observed in benign as well as malignant group in comparison to control healthy group. Conclusion: These results suggest that determination of biomarkers of oxidative stress products may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.