Effect of alpha-tocopherol on pro-oxidant and antioxidant enzyme status in radiation-treated oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The relationships between alpha-tocopherol, pro-oxidant and antioxidant enzyme status, and radiation toxicity were studied in stage II, III, and IVA oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The low levels of malondialdehyde and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes were correlated with decreased oxidative stress by alpha-tocopherol in oral cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of alpha-tocopherol on oxidant-antioxidant enzyme status in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy.


METHODS
The study included three groups with histologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma patients (untreated), and they were further divided into two groups, viz., one consisting of patients who underwent radiotherapy alone (radiotherapy was given at the dosage of 6000 cGy in five fractions per week for a period of 6 weeks); and the other group treated with radiotherapy plus alpha-tocopherol supplementation (alpha-tocopherol was supplemented at a dosage of 400 IU/day) for the entire period of radiotherapy.


RESULTS
A significant decrease ( P < 0.001) in malondialdehyde levels and increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes ( P < 0.001) in hemolysate were noticed in patients treated with radiotherapy and simultaneously supplemented with alpha-tocopherol when compared to radiation-treated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
It was seen that alpha-tocopherol played a role in protecting against the damage caused by irradiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy, by enhancing the antioxidant enzyme status and reducing the pro-oxidant status.
Chitra
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College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, India. chiresh2006@yahoo.com
Shyamala Devi
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D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol