Chronic tonsillitis...

Summary Objective: To determine the possible role of oxidants and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis (CT) and adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in chil-dren. Methods: Randomized, prospective, controlled. The study group was made up of children with chronic tonsillitis and adenoid hypertrophy who are to undergo tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The control group was constructed with other-wise healthy children with normal ENT examination. The blood levels of antioxidants (retinol, -carotene, -tocopherol, laycopene, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, GSH) and peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) were de-termined before and 1 month after the operation in the study group and once only in the control group. These antioxidants and peroxidation products were also measured in the tonsil and adenoid tissue that were obtained during operation. Results: In the study group, the blood levels of antioxidants and oxidant before and after the oper-ation were significantly different when compared to the control group (P< 0.05). In the study group, the blood antioxidant levels increased and oxidant level decreased significantly after the operation (P< 0.05). These levels after the operation neve