Serum Level of Antioxidant Enzymes in Opium-Addicted Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Opiates cause coronary artery disease (CAD), which is one of the most common complicated cardiovascular diseases and is responsible for morbidity and mortality rates. The mechanism of the association between opiates and CAD is not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant enzymes serum levels in patients with CAD and opium addiction.

This case-control study was performed on 188 cases (40 in the CAD group, 39 in the CAD and opium addiction group, and 60 in the control group). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by enzymatic methods and compared between the groups.

The serum level of SOD was 744.55 ± 506.16 U/L, which was lowest among the patients who had CAD with opium consumption (465.46 ± 67.8 U/L) and highest in the control group (1304.46 ± 545.69 U/L) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the serum level of GPx was 1076.92 ± 778.28 U/L, which was lowest among the patients who had CAD with opium consumption (769.79 ± 506.77 U/L) and highest in the control group (1661.41 ± 615.11 U/L) (P < 0.001).

The serum levels of SOD and GPx were significantly lower in our CAD cases with opium addiction. Opiates cause oxidative stress. Pharmacological and psychiatric approaches can reduce the toxicological effects of opiates. (Iranian Heart Journal 2019; 20(4): 31-37)