Abstract
Increase in porphyrin concentration is caused by the decreased activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Iron overload, alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus play role in the development of PCT. We investigated the hemorheological and redox-parameters from the blood of 34 male PCT patients and 10 male volunteers. The disfunctions were investigated by pathological amounts of iron and lipid metabolism. Routine laboratory and hemorheological parameters, plasma free SH-group concentration, H-donating ability and reducing power were measured by spectrophotometry. Free radical activity was determined by chemiluminometry method. The hemorheological parameters were significantly increased in all three groups of PCT patients compared to the controls. Negative correlations were observed between blood viscosity and antioxidant defence of PCT patients and in PCT patients with alcohol consumption. Plasma and erythrocyte chemiluminescent intensity was higher in PCT patients than in controls, which indicated the decrease of antioxidant defence. Hemorheological parameters were highest in patients with diabetes and in alcohol consumers. Iron overload increased free radical reactions in PCT patients, leading to pathological viscosity. Increased free radical reactions and high blood viscosity increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.