Indicators of oxidative stress in thyroid cancer

Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the levels of protein thiols and carbonyls were estimated in the blood samples of thyroid cancer patients (n = 20) before and after thyroidectomy, as well as in healthy controls (n = 10) to study the extent of damage caused by tumor tissue proliferation-induced oxidative stress and to ascertain that oxidative stress levels drop, when there was no proliferation. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the levels of serum protein thiols and FRAP as well as a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the levels of protein carbonyls and MPO activity in the blood of thyroid cancer patients before surgery was observed as compared to healthy controls. All the parameters studied also showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in their respective levels in thyroid cancer patients, pre- and post-thyroidectomy. These findings present the role of oxidative stress as a pathological implication of thyroid cancer.