title: Brain tumor and role of beta-carotene, a-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
abstract: The erythrocyte levels of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx, and serum levels of antioxidants vitamins beta-carotene and beta-tocopherol were estimated in various types of brain tumors, and were compared with the levels in controls. Statistically significant (P<.001) diminished levels of beta-carotene, beta-tocopherol, SOD and GPx, were observed in all the brain tumor patients as compared to controls. Malignant tumor also showed a relative decrease in antioxidant levels as compared to benign tumors. Comparison of histopathological sections of brain tumors also suggested a inverse relationship between antioxidant level and grades of malignancy. Marked decrease in antioxidant levels may have a role in genesis of considerable oxidative stress in brain tumors. Furthermore, the degree of decline in antioxidant levels may indicate severity of malignancy in brain tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sarita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Manju
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subberwal
authors.forename: Sushil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Meenakshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol