Role of Superoxide Dismutase in Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

The concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in middle ear effusion (MEE) was measured by the electron spin resonance trapping method in order to clarify the role of SOD in otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. The SOD levels in mucoid MEEs were significantly higher than those in serous and purulent MEEs. There was no significant difference in the levels of SOD between neutrophil-dominant MEEs and mononuclear cell-dominant MEEs, and the levels were negatively correlated with the number of neutrophils in the MEEs. Moreover, the levels were significantly increased in patients having recurrence of MEE within 3 months compared with patients without recurrence of MEE. Although it is known that SOD plays an important role in protecting the host from oxygen radicals, the findings in this study suggest that SOD might be related to the chronicity of OME.

Investigation of antioxidant status in children with acute otitis media and tonsillitis

“…Oxygen radicals are also implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation, and are considered to cause tissue damage by their chemical modification of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleotides, and lipids [15]. Under physiological conditions, ROS are part of normal regulatory circuits and are neutralized by antioxidants.…”

“…When we reviewed papers regarding infectious diseases and antioxidant status, we realized that the other studies mostly evaluated a few antioxidant enzymes based on only one disease either AOM or acute tonsillitis [15][16][17][18][19]. We hypothesized that a few antioxidant parameters were not enough to judge about all over the antioxidant status.…”

Oxidants and antioxidants in tonsillar and adenoidal tissue in chronic adenotonsillitis and adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children

“…Although in human studies the levels of local antioxidants were found to be increased [9,10], in experimentally induced infections they were found to be decreased [11,12]. Cemek et al [13] explain this contrary with the onset of diseases.…”

Otitis media with effusion: disease or defense?

“…They do so by using a series of oxidants to destroy invading micro-organisms [45]. However, as a side effect, superoxide radicals might damage the membrane of the host cell.…”

“…However, as a side effect, superoxide radicals might damage the membrane of the host cell. To protect the host from these oxygen radicals, an important role is played by superoxide dismutase, which is present in higher levels in mucoid than in serous effusions [45].…”