Evaluation of antioxidant capacity in lung carcinoma

Background: Free radicals lead to oxidative stress and tissue damage. In malignant tissues, decreased levles of antioxidant enzymes and increase of reactive oxygen metabolites have hazardous effects on cell membrane and other vital cellular components. This investigation was carried to determine the levels of superoxide SOD dismutase MDA and malondialdehyde in lung cancerous tissues and to compare with normal lung tissue in order to evaluate the antioxidant status in lung cancer. Methods and Material: 21 Male patients who were diagnosed to have lung cancer were studied. Control group contained 11 patients who were operated for nonmalignant lung disease and some lung tissue specimen had been extracted. Lung tissue specimens were assessed at the department of pathology. Superoxide dismutase and Malondialdehyde levels were determined at biochemistry laboratory by the method of Misra and Fridovich as modified by Sykes et al. Results: The level of glutathione, an antioxidant tripeptide, was also in a separate control group of patients. Mean SOD level in cancer tissue was determined to be 8. 08±4. 8 U/mg protein and 13. 33±5. 83 U/mg protein in normal tissue. Mean MDA level was 2. 8±1. 66 Umol/gr tissue in cancer lung and 1. 025±0. 59 Umol/gr tissue in normal lung. In this study it is observed that oxidative stress increases in patients of lung cancer. Conclusions: Oxidative damage might have an important role for cancer development; therefore strengthening the antioxidant capacity might probably prevent this malignant transformation. © 2005 Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons.