Oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress in ADHD children. Design and methods: Levels of oxidant parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and antioxidant parameters paraoxonase (PON1) and thiol levels were measured in thirty children with ADHD (27 boys, 3 girls) who were firstly diagnosed according to DSM-IV and thirty healthy children (18 boys, 12 girls) aged 6-12 years. Results: The levels of the oxidant parameters MDA and 8-OHDG were statistically significantly lower in ADHD children compared to the controls. We did not find a significant difference between the groups regarding AOPP, PON1, and thiol levels. Conclusion: We found low levels of some oxidants and no difference of antioxidant parameters in ADHD children. Our study points out that there may not be a direct relationship between oxidative stress and ADHD. (C) 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.