ABSTRACT
Reactive oxygen species are important in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including breast cancers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative stress in patients with breast cancer and to investigate its relationship with apoptosis. Our results showed that, the median levels and positivity rates of Malondialdehyde [MDA], Nitric Oxide [NO], Total Antioxidant [TAO], caspase-3,%DNA fragmentation and MDA/TAO ratio measured in breast cancer tissues by colorimetric methods were higher in the malignant group as compared to benign control group. Moreover, MDA, NO and%DNA fragmentations were over produced in advanced grade and stage P<0.05. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between MDA/TAO ratio and positive lymph node metastasis. Also, there were significant positive correlations of caspase-3 and%DNA fragmentation with positive estrogen receptor and NO. Moreover, the total antioxidants were positively correlated with positive progesterone receptor. In Conclusion; oxidative stress, NO and apoptosis are highly detected in breast cancer tissues especially with advanced grade and stage