The relevance of oxidative stress balance (Superoxide dismutase versus malondialdehyde) in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Among bacterial infections associated with hepatic cirrhosis, the most common is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Despite different protective measures, such as early diagnosis, therapy with albumin and the introduction of new antibiotics, the prognosis of these patients remains poor, with a mortality rate of 20-40%. In this context, the identification of patients with increased risk of death is extremely important for improving the prognosis. Thus, there is growing interest for studying the effects and mechanisms of oxidative stress, considering the requirements for identifying new substances with hepatoprotective functions and reducing various adverse effects. In this study, we assessed oxidative stress markers, the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the marker of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), in the serum and ascitic fluid in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and SBP, in patients diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis with ascites and in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Increased oxidative stress, demonstrated by a significant decrease of SOD and increase in MDA levels, was observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and SBP, compared with those without SBS, as well as those with compensated liver cirrhosis. Measuring these oxidative stress markers could have a fundamental importance in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this liver pathology.