Objective: The objective of the study was measurement of serum arachidonic acid level as well as the product of its peroxidation - 8-isoPGF2α, and the activity of phospholipase A2 and PAF-acetylhydrolase that participate in releasing 8-isoPGF2α from glycerol skeleton, and the potential designation of their role in the pathomechanism of Lyme disease (LD).
Material and methods: Changes in the phospholipid arachidonic acid level and the level of 8-isoPGF2α were determined in the plasma and urine of patients with LA (n=57) and of healthy controls (n=41). The activity of phospholipase A2 and PAF acetylhydrolase were assayed. All examined parameters were also measured in the plasma of some LA patients (n=13) after antibiotics treatment.
Results: An almost 3-fold higher level of the total plasma 8-isoPGF2α was observed in LA patients compared to the controls, while in the urine it increased over 5-fold. The plasma PLA2 activity was more than 3-fold higher in LA patients than in the healthy subjects, while PAF acetylhydrolase activity was observed to be modestly, but not significantly lower. The total 8-isoPGF2α level in the plasma and urine of LA patients was significantly lower after antibiotics treatment. The plasma activity of PAF-AH in the LA patients was increased, while the cPLA2 activity decreased after antibiotics treatment.
Conclusions: It may be suggested that in the course of LA, the level of binding 8-isoPGF2α is significantly enhanced, and it may also be suggested that uncontrolled changes in the lipid status of some patients may make their Lyme arthritis unresponsive to antibiotics.