Involvement of oxidative stress in the pre-malignant and malignant states of cervical cancer in women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential role of oxidative stress in the evolution of cervical cancer, including its pre-malignant states.


METHODS
Erythrocytes thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, plasma vitamin C and thiol content and total blood delta-ALA-D levels were estimated in 46 untreated cervical cancer and pre-malignant patients and in 46 age-sex-matched controls.


RESULTS
Erythrocytes from patients, regardless of disease state, pre-malignant (low squamous intraepithelial lesion--LSIL and high squamous intraepithelial lesion--HSIL) or cancer, showed a significant 2-3 times increase in TBARS levels (P<0.01). Plasma vitamin C was lower in the carcinoma group (P<0.01). The reactivation index of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) was higher in the patient group, when compared to control (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
LSIL, HSIL or cervical cancer can be associated with changes in 3 indicators of oxidative stress: increase in erythrocyte TBARS, ALA-D reactivation index and a decrease in vitamin C content, that may play an important role in carcinogenesis.
Gonçalves
Thissiane L
TL
Departamento de Química, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, R.S., Brazil.
Erthal
Fernando
F
Corte
Cristiane L D
CL
Müller
Liz G
LG
Piovezan
Clarice M
CM
Nogueira
Cristina W
CW
Rocha
João B T
JB
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000097:blood; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000097:blood*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid