Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is established as the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and is now proposed for the treatment of acute cholecystitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate biochemical aspects of open (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the levels of nitrite+nitrate as stable end products of nitric oxide (NO). MDA and nitrite+nitrate levels were increased at both surgical procedures compared to preoperative period, but the rise was more significant in OC than LC. These results showed that both OC and LC caused an increase in oxidative stress. However LC caused significantly less oxidative stress and the changes during surgery returned to preoperative values after LC in a shorter period. The beneficial effects of laparoscopic surgery may be related, partially, to less oxidative stress in the immediate postoperative period. laparoscopic cholecystectomy; open cholecystectomy; oxidative stress

Alterations of the normal redox balance in mammals might be attributed to increases of plasma free-radical concentrations and/or a disruption of the protective mechanisms. These conditions lead to damage to cellular structure by the mechanism of lipoperoxidation, particularly in the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. In this study, the effect of general anesthesia on the oxidative metabolism of human plasma and erythrocytes was investigated. Forty-five patients undergoing anesthesia by using halothane, enflurane, or isoflurane were included in this study. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, the first hour, the first day, and the third day after the operation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and trace elements such as cofactor copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels were measured in plasma and red blood cells. Our results showed that halothane and enflurane administration increased the plasma GSH-Px activity and reduced zinc levels. In addition, they lowered SOD and GSH-Px activities and trace element levels on erythrocytes. Isoflurane had no effect on plasma antioxidant enzymes, but, similar to the others, isoflurane decreased the plasma zinc levels, erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities and trace element levels.