A study of oxidative stress biomarkers in obsessive compulsive disorder

- Obsessive compulsive disorder is a condition of imbalance in oxidative stress.
- Disturbance of oxidative stress also occurs in blood relatives of patients of OCD.
- Oxidative stress biomarkers may be trait markers.

BackgroundExisting literature supports the potential role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders. Role of oxidative stress has also been implicated in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).MethodOur study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital of North India. This cross-sectional observational study aimed at evaluating the markers of oxidative stress (Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase, Malondialdehyde, serum cortisol) in three groups - patients with OCD, their non-affected first degree relatives, and healthy controls. Markers of oxidative stress were estimated in all 30 participants in each group.ResultsSignificantly higher levels of malondialdehyde and lower levels of plasma catalase, superoxide dismutase & glutathione peroxidase were found in patients, compared to their first degree relatives and healthy controls. Levels of plasma catalase, superoxide dismutase & glutathione peroxidase in first degree relatives were also significantly lower than healthy controls.ConclusionHigher levels of oxidative stress markers are associated with OCD and their first-degree relatives. The correlational nature of the present study, and the lack of a psychiatric control group, however, do not allow for conclusions regarding causation or the findings' specificity to OCD.