Analysis of serum phospholipid-fatty acid and antioxidant system in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer

Abstract

15068 Background: The membrane compositions, especially phospholipid-fatty acid (PL-FA) and antioxidant system have been focused on carcinogenesis. Therefore, the objective was to examine the patterns of PL-FA and antioxidant status in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 23 patients diagnosed as invasive cervical cancer, 32 with CIN and 41 with other benign gynecologic diseases as the control group. Compositions of serum PL-FAs, total antioxidant performance (TAP), and lipid peroxidation were assessed and compared between these 3 groups. Serum levels of PL-FAs were analyzed by the GC system, after extracting phospholipids using Folch and TLC methods. Fluorometer were used to measure lipid-soluble radical for assessment of TAP and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was quantified to evaluate the degree of lipid peroxidation. Results: With the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)/SFAs ratio was lowest in the invasive cervical cancer group. While the EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5ω3) + DHA (docosapentaenoic acid, C22:6ω3)/linolenic acid (C18:3ω3) ratio (ω3 product/ω3 precursor) was significantly lower in the CIN group (p < 0.0001), arachidonic acid (C20:4ω6)/linoleic acid (C18:2ω6) ratio (ω6 product/ω6 precursor) tended to be higher in patients with CIN and cervical cancer (p = 0.0682). In w6 series fatty acids, consistent trends of higher desaturation indices and lower enlongation indices were observed in CIN and invasive cervical cancer groups. The level of MDA was significantly higher in cervical cancer group than in CIN and control groups. The value of TAP was significantly lower in CIN. Conclusions: In patients with cervical neoplasia, the endogenous production of DHA and EPA, as well as ω3 derivatives seems to be decreased. Since cervical cancer patients displayed higher MDA levels and lower TAP, antioxidant status also tends to be lower in this group. These significant changes in patterns of PL-FAs and antioxidant status in cervical cancer patients suggest their possible involvements in carcinogenesis, but further studies are mandatory to define the exact causal relationship. No significant financial relationships to disclose.