Enhanced oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients with Cushing's syndrome

Summary Objective Cushing Syndrome ( CS ) is implicated by increased cardiovascular risk ( CVR ) leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress ( OS ) and platelet activation ( PA ) are associated with increased CVR . However, scarce data of OS in CS exist. Our objective was to determine the oxidant–antioxidant balance in CS . Design Fourteen patients with CS at diagnosis and fourteen healthy subjects ( NS ) were evaluated OS by measuring plasma 15‐F 2t ‐Isoprostane (15‐F 2t ‐IsoP), PA by thromboxaneB 2 levels ( TXB 2 ), and antioxidant reserve measuring total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) and serum vitamin E. Results 15‐F 2t ‐IsoP and TXB 2 levels were significantly higher ( P  < 0·01) in CS , while vitamin E levels were higher in NS ( P  < 0·03). 15‐F 2t ‐IsoP levels were significantly higher ( P  < 0·01) in complicated vs not‐complicated CS and NS and significantly higher ( P  < 0·03) in CS not‐complicated vs NS . TXB 2 levels were significantly reduced ( P  < 0·03) in NS vs complicated and not‐complicated CS . A negative correlation between Vitamin E and UFC was observed in CS ( P  < 0·05 r  = −0·497). TXB 2 correlated with glucose, HbA1c and T ‐score ( P  < 0·05 r  = 0·512, P  < 0·03 r  = 0·527 and P  < 0·01 r  = 0·783, respectively) and HDL ( P  < 0·01 r  = −0·651). 15‐F 2t ‐IsoP correlated with triglicerides, HbA1c and diastolic pressure ( P  < 0·01 r  = 0·650, P  < 0·03 r  = 0·571 and P  < 0·05 r  = 0·498, respectively) and HDL ( P  < 0·03 r  = −0·594). Conclusions This study emphasizes the major role of OS in CS . As our findings demonstrated that enhanced OS and PA take place in this rare metabolic disorder which is associated with increased CVR , it could be suggested that these biochemical alterations can further contribute in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, increased CVR and mortality in CS .