Clinical Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2005; 11(3): 368-371
Published online Jan 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i3.368
Potential oxidative stress in children with chronic constipation
Jun-Fu Zhou, Jian-Guo Lou, Sheng-Li Zhou, Ji-Yue Wang
Jun-Fu Zhou, Jian-Guo Lou, Sheng-Li Zhou, Second Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
Ji-Yue Wang, Children’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Professor Jun-Fu Zhou, Second Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. jfzhou@zju.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-571-87783768 Fax: +86-571-87213864
Received: December 10, 2003
Revised: December 14, 2003
Accepted: January 12, 2004
Published online: January 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the potential oxidative stress in children with chronic constipation and to explore its mechanisms.

METHODS: Seventy children with chronic constipation and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. Plasma levels of vitamins C and E, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipoperoxide level in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTS: Compared with healthy children whose vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipoperoxide were 58.35±14.42 μmol/L, 27.15±6.55 μmol/L, 2 206±171 U/(g.Hb), 327.3±82.2 K/(g.Hb) and 19.18±4.27 nmol/(g.Hb) respectively, the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, the activity of superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the children with chronic constipation significantly decreased [46.59±11.51 μmol/L, 20.65±4.80 μmol/L, 1943±147 U/(g.Hb) and 269.3±67.8 K/(g.Hb), respectively P<0.01], while the lipoperoxide significantly increased [25.22±5.01 nmol/(g.Hb), P<0.01]. With a prolonged course of disease, the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the children with chronic constipation gradually decreased, while the level of lipoperoxide gradually increased.

CONCLUSION: Chronic constipation can cause potential oxidative stress in children.

Keywords: Chronic constipation; Potential oxidative stress; Spectrophotometry