TREATMENT EFFECTS ON THE ROS PRODUCTION, LIPID PEROXIDATION AND OXIDATIVE DAMAGES IN IBD PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Increasing evidence suggests that impaired intestinal immune regulation in IBD is closely linked to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses, resulting in oxidative stress. Excessive ROS generation and lipid peroxidation contribute to mucosal injury, activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, and disease progression. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress markers—ROS production and malondialdehyde (MDA)—measured in peripheral blood, as well as antioxidant status, in relation to disease course and treatment in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 21 children and young adults with IBD (aged 14–25 years; mean age ~17.1 years) and 22 age-matched healthy controls (mean age ~17.6 years). Among the IBD cohort, 9 patients (42%) were male and 12 (58%) were female; 7 patients were diagnosed with CD and 14 with UC. All IBD patients underwent histological assessment. Results: Increased ROS production was positively correlated with elevated MDA levels, indicating enhanced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in patients with IBD. Conclusions: The therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments, including azathioprine, corticosteroids, mesalazine, and biological agents, may be partly attributed to their capacity to reduce ROS production and lipid peroxidation in intestinal mucosal cells, thereby promoting mucosal healing in patients with IBD.