B vitamins deficiency and decreased anti-oxidative state in patients with liver cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the status of oxidative stress and B vitamins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in different tumor-node-metastasis stages. Patients were divided into two groups as I + II (n = 21) and III + IV (n = 19).


METHODS
Plasma levels of lipid oxidation, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, glutathione and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and xanthine oxidase) were determined for evaluating oxidative status. Blood B vitamins (B(1), B(2), B(6), B(12), and folate) and serum ghrelin were analyzed, and the relationship between serum ghrelin and vitamins B(2) (or B(6)) was evaluated.


RESULTS
HCC patients at III + IV stage showed significantly lower ghrelin, higher cholesterol, triglyceride, and uric acid than patients at I + II stage and healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Plasma lipid oxidation level in HCC patients was significantly greater than healthy subjects (P < 0.05). The activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase or catalase was significantly decreased, but xanthine oxidase activity was significantly elevated in HCC patients (P < 0.05). Plasma level of glutathione and vitamin C, not alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, in HCC patients was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Vitamins B(2) and B(6) levels in red blood cells from these HCC patients were significantly lower (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided novel clinical findings regarding the status of oxidative stress and B vitamins in HCC patients. Plasma glutathione level may be a proper biomarker for evaluating oxidative status for HCC patients. Our data indicate that HCC patients might need B vitamins supplementation. The increased serum level of triglyceride and cholesterol might be a consequence of an impaired hepatic fat metabolism, and might be improved by a lower fat administration to these patients.
Lin
Chun-che
CC
Dept. of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Sec. 1, Chien Kuo N. Rd, Taichung, 402, Taiwan, ROC.
Yin
Mei-chin
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood*; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005978:Glutathione