AIM: To compare the Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and phenotype distribution between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients and healthy individuals.

MATERIAL and METHODS: This research included 40 LDH patients and 42 healthy individuals. Spectrophotometric assays were performed to determine the serum PON1 and arylesterase activities. The PON1 ratio, which represents the salt-stimulated PON/ arylesterase level, demonstrated a trimodal distribution. This ratio was applied to identify the different phenotypes; QQ, QR, and RR of each subject.

RESULTS: The LDH patients had lower PON1 activity than the healthy individuals (p<0.05). LDH patients had a statistically significant QQ phenotype compared to the healthy subjects (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: LDH patients had statistically lower PON1 activity, suggesting that the low PON1 activity and PON1 QQ phenotype may be a risk factor for LDH occurrence.