The status of antioxidants, malondialdehyde and some trace elements in serum of patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: There are studies that indicated dyshomeostasis of oxidant/antioxidant and trace elements in breast cancer patients, but the data regarding the status of these parameters in various stages of breast cancer are limited. The aim of this study was to highlight the status of these biochemical factors in various stages of breast cancer. METHODS: Fifty-eight breast cancers patients participated in this study and underwent staging work up for the assessment of disease stage. Serum total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation were determined spectrophotometically. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were analyzed by ELISA method. The serum level of Cu, Mn and Zn was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare group means. RESULTS: All the patients included in the study classified as mild (stages I+II) and advanced stages (stages III+IV). Patients in advanced stage had lower serum antioxidant capacity and higher lipid peroxidation levels, but the differences were not statistically differet (P=0.690 and 0.666, respectively). Patients in advanced stage had higher, but not statistically different serum levels of CAT, GPX and SOD levels (p>0.05). Patients in both groups had to some extent similar serum Cu, Mn and Zn levels. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of remarkable discrepancy in the status of analyzed factors in various stages of breast cancer. It seems that the severity of oxidative stress in different stages of breast cancer is similar to some extent.