Thiol-disulfide balance and trace element levels in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases is gradually increasing worldwide. The most common such allergic disease is allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the possible relationship between seasonal AR and the thiol-disulfide balance and zinc and copper levels in adult individuals. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: 130 male and female adults were included in the study. The participants' serum thiol-disulfide balance and zinc and copper levels were measured spectrophotometrically using commercial kits. Statistical significance was accepted as p < 0.05 between the groups. RESULTS: The serum copper (p = 0.001), native thiol (p = 0.006), reduced thiol (p < 0.001), and thiol oxidation reduction ratio (p < 0.001) levels were significantly lower in the seasonal AR group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: In AR patients, the low level of copper, which is an important trace element, the deterioration of the thiol-disulfide balance, which represents a unique indicator of the oxidant-antioxidant balance, the increased disulfide level caused by oxidative stress, and the decreased native thiol level can all serve as important biochemical markers.