Increased oxidative damage in peripheral blood correlates with severity of Parkinson's disease

Increased oxidative stress contributes to neuronal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated whether the pathological changes in PD brains may also be present in peripheral tissues. Leukocyte 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and plasma vitamin E (Vit E) were measured for 211 PD patients and 135 healthy controls. Leukocyte 8-OHdG and plasma MDA were elevated, whereas erythrocyte GPx and plasma Vit E were reduced in PD patients when compared to the controls. After adjusting for environmental factors, logistic regression analysis showed that PD severity was independently correlated with 8-OHdG and MDA level, and inversely correlated with GPx activity and Vit E level. Leucocyte 8-OHdG level was continuously increased with advanced PD Hoehn-Yahr stages, while plasma MDA level peaked at early disease stages, among PD patients. These results suggest increased oxidative damage and decreased anti-oxidant capacity in peripheral blood, and a significant correlation between leucocyte 8-OHdG level and disease severity in PD.