Multiple Myeloma: Relationship to Antioxidant Esterases

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of the oxidant/antioxidant balance in patients with multiple myeloma compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 multiple myeloma patients and 40 healthy controls of matched age and sex. Serum total thiol, oxidative stress index (OSI), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured using colourimetric methods; paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase enzyme activities were also quantified. RESULTS: Serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities and total thiol levels were significantly lower (p = 0.0001, p = 0.036 and p < 0.0001, respectively), whereas TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001 for both parameters) in multiple myeloma patients compared to controls. However, no significant differences in TAS were identified when the two groups were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate an impaired oxidative/antioxidative balance in multiple myeloma. We recommend further studies with larger groups to investigate the possible relationship between oxidative stress and the aetiopathogenesis of multiple myeloma.