DYSREGULATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN HUMAN DISEASE: EMERGING BIOMARKERS AND THERAPEUTIC TARGETS

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress had been recognized as an important contributor to the development and progression of several human diseases through an imbalance between reactive oxygen species generation and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Alterations in antioxidant enzymes had been investigated as potential biomarkers of disease activity and as possible therapeutic targets. Aim: The study had aimed to evaluate the dysregulation of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in patients with human disease and to assess the potential of selected oxidative stress-related parameters as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods: A hospital-based observational study had been conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from September 2025 to February 2026. A total of 80 patients had been included in the study. Blood samples had been collected and analyzed for oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The findings had been evaluated in relation to patients' clinical characteristics and disease status. Results: Among the 80 participants, oxidative stress markers had demonstrated an overall increase, whereas antioxidant enzyme activities had shown a reduction. Mean MDA levels had been elevated in patients with greater disease severity, while SOD, CAT, and GPx activities had progressively decreased. Significant inverse associations had been observed between MDA and antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.05). The findings had indicated that combined assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes had provided useful information regarding disease related biochemical alterations. Conclusion: The study had concluded that dysregulation of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms had been associated with human disease progression. MDA, SOD, CAT, and GPx had demonstrated potential as complementary biomarkers for evaluating oxidative imbalance. Targeting oxidative stress and restoring antioxidant defenses had also represented potential therapeutic approaches requiring further clinical investigation.