A BRCA1 mutation is not associated with increased indicators of oxidative stress.
BACKGROUND
Several functions have been attributed to the BRCA1 protein. A recent study suggests that BRCA1 is involved in the cellular antioxidant response by inducing the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant defense system and thus conferring resistance to oxidative stress. It is possible that individuals with a BRCA1 mutation might be susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether women with a BRCA1 mutation exhibit increased indicators of oxidative stress.


METHODS
We measured 3 markers of oxidative stress in vivo, the amounts of serum malondialdehyde and protein thiols, and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels in 25 unaffected BRCA1 mutation carriers and 25 noncarrier control subjects.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in serum malondialdehyde levels (P=.41), serum thiol levels (P=.85), or the number of 8-oxodG lesions (P=.49) in BRCA1 mutation carriers versus noncarriers.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the presence of a heterozygous BRCA1 mutation is not associated with increased levels of indicators of oxidative stress in serum or lymphocytes. Future studies are warranted to evaluate whether strategies aimed at minimizing oxidative stress might aid in the prevention of hereditary breast cancer.
Kotsopoulos
Joanne
J
Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Shen
HongLei
H
Rao
A Venketeshwer
AV
Poll
Aletta
A
Ainsworth
Peter
P
Fleshner
Neil
N
Narod
Steven A
SA
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D004247:DNA; D003849:Deoxyguanosine