Experimental investigations as well as clinical and epidemiological findings have provided evidence supporting the role of reactive oxygen metabolites or free radicals such as singlet oxygen O 2 - , superoxide anions (O 2 ), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and hydroxyl radical in the etiology of cancer.
Certain aldehydes such as Malonyldialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipid peroxidation arising from free radical degeneration of polyunsaturated fatty acids can cause cross linking in lipids, proteins and nucleic acids leading to cellular damage.
In this study, patients with cancer exhibited higher levels of MDA, both in tissues and serum (p<0.001) compared to the control group [Table 1]. In tissue, the MDA level in stage IV was significantly higher as compared to stage I indicating increased free radical activity with increasing severity of cancer
From these observations, it can be concluded that MDA levels play an important role in assessing the outcome of cancer
SOD and CAT are considered primary antioxidant enzymes, since they are involved in direct elimination of reactive oxygen metabolites. [13-16] They also act as anti-carcinogens and inhibitors at initiation and promotion/transformation stage in carcinogenesis
In our study, SOD and CAT levels were found to be low in all cancer patients as compared to controls
Fridovich and Tayarani have demonstrated in their respective studies that the reduction in SOD activity increases the toxic effects of O2 - and this might lead to severe cellular damage.
Mehrotra et al. in their study also observed high levels of MDA and low levels of SOD and CAT in patients of cancer cervix which is in sync with our observations.
strong evidence regarding the definitive role of free radicals in breast malignancy.
This study finds a strong correlation between advancing breast cancer, decreased catalase and SOD with increasing MDA. The authors of this study conclude this is a key factor in carcinogenesis and not a by-product of cancer. This flies in the face of traditional medicines fear of antioxidant therapy in cancer.
Good study shows that genetic polymorphisms play role in brain tumor risk with oxidative damage. This study found an increased risk with SOD 2/3, and with CAT polymorphisms.
Mouse model finds that Cordyceps increased the interval to exhaustive exercise induced oxidative stress. SOD, Cat, and GPx were increased in the low, intermediate, and high dose Cordyceps groups. Oxidative stress markers MDA and 8-OHdG were lower in all groups
A marked decrease in anti-oxidant marker enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH) and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the diabetic rats
inger may be used as therapeutic agent in preventing complications in diabetic patients.
These results suggest that ginger exhibit a neuroprotective effect by accelerating brain anti-oxidant defense mechanisms and down regulating the MDA levels to the normal levels in the diabetic rats
Low dose radiation from CT found to contribute to altered genetic expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene to give competitive advantage to potential cancer cells over health cells.