Evaluation of thiol/disulfide redox status in community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Oxidative stress and environmental oxidants resulting from oxidant/antioxidant imbalance play an important role in respiratory tract diseases and inflammation. Objectives: The aim of this prospective case–control study is to evaluate dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis relationship between patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthy control. Methods: This study enrolled 38 patients with CAP and 35 healthy individuals. The patients with comorbidies and smokers were excluded. In both groups, the thiol/disulfide status levels were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between the pneumonia and control groups in age or gender (both p>0.05). The disulfide (SS) levels were similar between in the two groups (p=0,066). The total thiol, native thiol (SH), SS/SH levels were significantly lower in the CAP group compared with the controls (respectively; p=0,001; p=0,001; p=0,028). We also evaluated the pneumonia severity index (PSI) and thiol/disulfide status parameters in the CAP group. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between PSI and the native and total thiol measurements (respectively; r=-0,341, p=0,036; r=-335, p=0,40). Conclusion: This study showed that the oxidative/antioxidative balance shifted to the oxidative side in the CAP. Abnormal thiol/disulfide status may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the CAP.