Positive Health Online

Abstract

SENTHIL and others, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Tamil Nadu, India, have found evidence of oxidative stress in the bloodstream of patients with ovarian cancer.

Background

Of gynaecological malignancies, ovarian cancer causes the most deaths. In this study, the levels of oxidative stress in the blood of ovarian cancer patients were determined.

Methodology

Various markers of oxidative stress were determined in the blood of 30 ovarian cancer patients and an equal number of age-matched healthy controls.

Results

Significantly raised levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated dienes, and significantly lower levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin C and vitamin E were measured in ovarian cancer patients compared to controls, indicating substantial oxidative stress in the ovarian cancer patients.

Conclusion

It is possible that incessant ovulation or epithelial inflammation due to ovarian cancer may lead to increased lipid peroxidation, which may greatly increase the oxidative stress in the whole body of ovarian cancer patients. It is also possible that the cancer cells themselves sequester antioxidants and thus lower the body's capacity to deal with oxidative stress.

References

Senthil K, Aranganathan S, Nalini N. Evidence of oxidative stress in the circulation of ovarian cancer patients. Clinica Chimica Acta 339 (1-2): 27-32, Jan 2004.