May Pyrrolized Protein Be a New Oxidative Stress Marker in Behçet s Disease?

Purpose: This study was planned to investigate whether pyrrolized-protein that occurred in oxidative conditions may be a marker for Behçet s disease suggesting that oxidative stress might play a role in its pathogenesis, and also examine the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), known as a potent antioxidant, on pyrrolized-protein levels. Material and Methods: This study was performed on 40 Behçet s patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Treatment protocol for one-month was applied to Behçet s patients randomly subdivided into two groups NAC (2x600mg NAC/day) and placebo (2x600mg placebo/day). Pyrrolized-protein was measured in sera obtained from patient groups at the beginning and at the end of the study, and from controls once. Results: When compared to controls, pyrrolized-protein, found to be higher in both patient groups before treatment, were not changed in Placebo group; but significantly decreased and also attained to control values in NAC group after one-month treatment. Conclusion: Our results may suggest that enhanced production of ROS in Behçet s disease may lead to protein oxidation and pyrrolized-protein determination which may be used as an oxidative-stress marker . In addition, the probability of NAC addition to the treatment protocols of several diseases related to oxidative stress, including Behçet s disease, may lead to new study areas.