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

The prevalence of allergic diseases is gradually increasing worldwide. The most common such allergic disease is allergic rhinitis (AR). The present study investigated the possible relationship between seasonal AR and the thiol-disulfide balance and zinc and copper levels in adult individuals. 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. 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. 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.