Abstract
PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to explain the role of oxidative stress in women with overactive bladder (OAB) by investigating the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 women were included in the study: 45 female patients diagnosed with OAB at Hopa State Hospital Urology Polyclinic and 45 healthy women without any metabolic or neurologic disease. Levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were measured in 24-hour urine samples for all subjects. RESULTS: Urinary levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were significantly higher in the OAB group than in the control group (p<0.001). A significant positive correlation (p<0.001) was found between the measurements of 8-OHdG and MDA. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress may be important in the pathophysiology of OAB, because levels of 8-OHdG and MDA are increased. Increased levels of 8-OHdG may be due to damaged nuclear and mitochondrial DNA as a result of oxidative attacks caused by free radicals. Nevertheless, further randomized and prospective studies with larger patient populations are needed.