The effects of methylprednisolone and cefazolin sodium on antioxidant status in experimentally induced maxillary sinusitis

Conclusion: Sinusitis is accompanied by deteriorated antioxidant status, which can be alleviated with administration of cefazolin sodium or methylprednisolone. Steroids improve sinusitis when combined with antibiotics. Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant status in response to treatment of maxillary sinusitis with methylprednisolone and cefazolin sodium. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight rabbits were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and then treated with saline, methylprednisolone, cefazolin sodium, and methylprednisolone plus cefazolin sodium, twice daily for 7 days. After the animals were sacrificed, mucosa samples were obtained to determine catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GPx) activities and levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Catalase activity among untreated rabbits and those treated with either methylprednisolone or cefazolin sodium was not different. Activities of SOD and GPx were lower for rabbits treated with cefazolin sodium than for those treated with methylprednisolone and for untreated rabbits (p < 0.0001). Rabbits treated with cefazolin sodium had lower NO and MDA levels than those treated with methylprednisolone and untreated rabbits (p < 0.0001). Combined administration of cefazolin sodium with methylprednisolone increased CAT, SOD, and GPx activities further and decreased NO and MDA levels further in comparison with their administration alone (p < 0.0001).