Oxidant/antioxidant status in pneumatic tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion in meniscal patients underping arthroscopy

In orthopedic surgeons, tourniquets are commonly applied to reduce blood loss and obtain a clear surgical field. When the tourniquet is released, excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) follows during reperfusion and oxygenation. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), catalase (CAT), xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated before arthroscopy (Baseline), before tourniquet release (BTR), after I h tourniquet release (ATR) in patients in pneumatic tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury in arthroscopy. Erythrocyte GSH level, GST, SOD, CAT activities was significantly lower in BTR and ATR periods than in baseline. Erythrocyte and plasma MDA levels and erythrocyte XO activity were significantly higher in BTR and ATR periods than in baseline. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity were significantly higher in BTR and lower in ATR group than in baseline. Erythrocyte and plasma MDA levels, erythrocyte GSH level, GST activity were significantly higher in ATR period when compared to BTR group. However, erythrocyte SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and XO activities were significantly lower in ATR period when compared to BTR period. The results obtained in this study indicate significant changes in antioxidant defense system in the patients in pneumatic tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury in arthroscopy.