The correlation of antioxidant levels of breast cancer: A case controlled study

Many free radicles are implicated to activate a number of oncogenic signaling, cause damage to deoxyribonucleic acid and tumor suppressor genes, or promote expression of proto-oncogenes. Reduced level of antioxidants and increases oxidative stress markers are associated with the development of various types of cancer. This prospective study included 60 women who were grouped into equal groups. Patients group included 30 breast cancer women and control group consisting of 30 apparently healthy women. Both groups were compared regarding the serum levels of antioxidants biomarkers (vitamin C, ceruloplasmin, glutathione) and oxidative stress biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxynitrite, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. In regard to the antioxidant biomarkers, there was a significant difference between the patients and the controls regarding the levels of serum ceruloplasmin and glutathione, (P values .000) for each while vitamin C showed no significant correlation (P value .053), while regarding oxidative stress biomarkers, the correlation was significant for both peroxynitrite and MDA (P value .000 and .001) respectively, and not significant for gamma-glutamyl transferase (P value 1.00). Reduced level both ceruloplasmin and glutathione is seen in patients with breast cancer while vitamin C is not associated. Elevated levels of both peroxynitrite and MDA is seen in patients with breast cancer which may be used as serum markers for the early detection of breast cancer.