Study of the variations of oxgen free radical on acute paraquat poisoning

[Purpose] To explore the variations of oxygen free radical (OFR) in the patients of acute paraquat poisoning (APP). [Methods] The levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and super-oxide dismutase (SOD) of 68 patients were measured by the methods of thiobarbiturate and xanthin oxidase at hospitalization, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after poisoning, and compared with 29 healthy individuals. [Results] The levels of serum MDA of patients increased than control group (P 0.01), and it was increased significantly at 24 hours to 48 hours after poisoning (P 0.001). The levels of serum SOD decreased obviously in patients (P 0.01). The levels of serum MDA of death patients was higher than that of survivor patients, while the levels of serum SOD of survivor patients were lower than that of survivor patients. there was significant difference in the two groups (P 0.01). [Conclusion] OFR is one of the important fact in the pathogenesis of APP. Serum MDA and SOD may be a clinical index for evaluating the degree of multiple organ function damage, for guiding treatment, and judging the prognosis of APP.