title: [Reactive oxygen species as an inducing factor of neoplasms of female reproductive organs ].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In our study we measured selenium concentration in the blood of women with diagnosed cancer and benign tumors. The results were compared with healthy women. Some other parameters of the antioxidant system in all studied groups were also investigated, namely, activity of glutatione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, as well as the levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde.
  
  
  METHODS
  All parameters were determined in peripheral blood of (a) 47 women with diagnosed cancer (b) 46 women with diagnosed benign tumors, and (c) 20 healthy women (control group). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using "Statistica" software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed lower selenium concentration in the whole blood and plasma of cancer and benign tumor patients as compared to healthy women. An activity of glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes and plasma were also lower in both patients' groups than in the control group. Statistical analysis of data revealed a positive correlation between selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma. Lower activity of superoxide dismutase and increased concentration of malondialdehyde was noted in plasma of cancer patients as compared to healthy women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. A status of antioxidant systems plays an important role in carcinogenesis. 2. The antioxidant system of the women suffering from cancer is deficient. 3. A capacity of that system depends greatly on the concentration of antioxidants and activity of antioxidant enzymes, among them glutathione peroxidase.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Kliniki Ginekologii Onkologicznej i Pielegniarstwa Ginekologicznego AM w Bydgoszczy.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Piekutowski
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grabiec
authors.forename: Wiesława
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Windorbska
authors.forename: Bronisław A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Zachara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D012643:Selenium