Isoprostanes - A novel major group of oxidative stress markers.

Isoprostanes are a recently discovered group of prostaglandin isomers. Results of previous studies suggest that they can be used as oxidative stress markers, because in a number of cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological diseases their levels in biological samples considerably increase. It has been found that people suffering from diabetes, obesity, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, moderate hypercholesterolemia, and smokers have higher levels of isoprostanes in urine. The same refers to patients with asthma, Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome. This paper reviews the results of relevant studies.