Introduction and objectives: Heart failure is associated with increased free radical production, which leads to a state of oxidative stress. Known markers of oxidative stress include 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, which reflects oxidative damage to DNA, and lipid peroxidation, which can be used to quantify damage to lipid-rich structures. The aims of this study were to compare 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and lipid peroxidation levels in heart failure patients and healthy subjects and to assess how these levels are influenced by heart failure etiology.
Methods: The study included 78 patients (57 male, age 64 [14] years) with heart failure and 12 control subjects. Patients completed a questionnaire and were graded according to the New York Heart Association classification. Doppler echocardiography was performed and blood samples were obtained. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and lipid peroxidation levels were determined.
Results: Significant differences were observed between patients and control subjects in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and lipid peroxidation levels, at 0.34 (0.54) ng/mL vs 0.04 (0.07) ng/mL (P<.05), and 18 (10) microM vs 8 (3) microM (P<.01), respectively. Subsequent analysis showed that heart failure etiology had a significant effect on the levels of the two markers (P<.05), which were highest in patients with hypertensive cardiomyopathy.
Conclusions: Levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and lipid peroxidation were higher in heart failure patients than in control subjects. The most significant increases were found in patients with hypertensive cardiomyopathy.