[The impact of ascorbic acid on the concentrations of antioxidative vitamins in the plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing first-line chemotherapy].
One of the main after-effects of chemotherapy used in cancer treatment is an augmented production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In turn ROS become a source of unwanted side effects of chemotherapy, often forcing the discontinuation of the therapy. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), being an antioxidant, can strengthen the antioxidative barrier of an organism. The aim of the study was an assessment of the concentrations of A, C and E vitamins in the plasma of NSCLC patients undergoing chemotherapy supplemented with vitamin C.


METHODS
25 first-line chemotherapy patients with inoperable NSCLC, including 19 men and 6 women aged between 37-73 years (average age 60.1 +/- 8.8 years) have undergone the examination. Their chemotherapy has been supplemented with ascorbic acid (vitamin C dose of 600 mg per 24 hours). Control group consisted of 24 healthy individuals, including 18 men and 6 women aged between 49-71 years (average age 59.5 +/- 6.6 years). In cancer patients the concentration of A, C and E vitamins was assessed by spectrophotometry using T60V spectrophotometer (PG Instruments) before and after first-line chemotherapy which was supplemented with vitamin C. In control group the concentrations of antioxidative vitamins was assessed only once.


RESULTS
In comparison to the control group the concentrations of the A, C and E vitamins in the plasma of NSCLC patients was significantly lower (p < 0.05). After 6 weeks of chemotherapy supplemented with vitamin C a significant rise of concentrations (p < 0.05) of all the vitamins tested for was observed. The biggest rise was noted for vitamin C (99.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The supplementation of the chemotherapy of NSCLC patients with C vitamin leads to rise of the low concentrations of A, C and E vitamins in the plasma. This suggests strengthening of the antioxidative barrier in patients.
Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Hospital of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Rzeszów, Poland.
Sławomir
S
Tokarski
Maciej
M
Rutkowski
Małgorzata
M
Godala
Anna
A
Mejer
Jan
J
Kowalski
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid