Oxidative Stress and Erythrocyte Glutathione Defense System in Smokers and Non-smokers Gastric Carcinoma Patients

Abstract

The oxidative stress and the status of erythrocyte glutathione defense system were studied in male patients with gastric carcinoma in order to elucidate their clinical importance in the diagnosis. The study included 60 male patients with gastric cancer (30 non-smokers and 30 smokers) and an equal number of age-matched healthy control subjects. The incidence of oxidative stress was determined by measurement of the oxidative stress marker-malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma. The status of glutathione defense system was determined by measuring the level of reduced glutathione, as well as the activity of the enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the erythrocytes. After data analysis the following observations were obtained: plasma MDA level was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers gastric cancer patients. The activities of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GST and reduced GSH levels were decreased in gastric cancer patients who were smokers as compared to non-smokers gastric cancer patients. In conclusion, smokers with gastric carcinoma are at high risk of oxidative stress, which in turn may result in initiating the promotion phase of carcinogenesis and generation of more cancerous cells. Moreover; plasma MDA and erythrocyte glutathione defense system may serve as a good auxiliary biochemical index in the diagnosis of patients with gastric carcinoma