RESUMO
Superoxde dismutase is dimeric antioxidant enzyme responsible for quenching of superoxide radicals which are released during the chemical reactions of the various metabolic pathways .The enzyme levels of SOD are altered to a considerable extent in various diseased states exhibiting either elevation or depletion in their enzymatic activity.As this phenomenon was found to be more evident in leukaemias, we have estimated the Cu-Zn SOD levels in the red cells of the leukaemic patients in order to evaluate the efficiency of anti oxidant system and its relation to leukaemiogenesis. The overall mean SOD levels in the leukaemic patients (AML, ALL and CML) were significantly low (124.97±6.46) as compared to that of the normal controls (287.08±6.79). In respect to the age, the mean SOD levels were found to be elevated indicating the extent of the free radicals might have stimulated the production of the antioxidants.In response to chemotherapy, the mean SOD levels were observed to be elevated but not the extent of the normal levels among the treated groups in AML(127.40±8.67) and CML (174.73±53.59) types of leukaemias as compared to that of the untreated groups. In general the stage of leukaemia did not cause any variation in the SOD levels. However, the L2 in ALL (107.49±4.88), blast crisis in CML (154.00±19.86) showed reduced levels of SOD.
RESUMO
Leukemia are the family of hematological malignancies of bone marrow resulting in uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells. We have analyzed the MDA levels in 108 leukaemic patients. In the present study, the mean of the plasma MDA levels in leukaemic patients were found to be significantly elevated (572.41+11.79) as compared to that of the normal controls (375.84+5.48) indicating the possible role of invivo peroxidation of membrane lipids in the etiology of leukaemias. Sexwise comparision of the MDA levels in the leukaemic groups showed an elevated levels of lipid peroxidatrion byproducts among the affected males (588.23+14.49) as compared to that of the femeles (541.61+ 19.57). With respect to the age, the MDA levels were seen to be progressively increasing with advancing age. The highest levels of MDA were found in the age group of 30-40 years in an the types of leukaemia. In general the treated group showed comparatively low levels of MDA (543.13+13.46) to that of the untreated group (631.21+20.05) indicating the effect of chemotherapy on MDA levels. With respect to stage, the M5 stage among the AML type (619.67+28.22), L3 among the ALL type (769.00) and blast crisis among the CML group (619.67+112.89) were exhibiting elevated levels of MDA.
RESUMO
L-Lactate dehydrogenase is an oxidoreductase that catalyzes the reversible inter-conversion of pyruvate to L-lactate under anaerobic conditions. Levels of Lactate dehydrogenase are known to be elevated in the blood stream following severe tissue injuries and necrosis. Since cancer is a proliferating and invasive disease known to cause severe tissue damage and tumour cells respire anaerobically, the present study was planned to evaluate variations in the levels of serum LDH in breast cancer as compared to normal. LDH levels were estimated in 130 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and also in 110 healthy age matched randomly selected controls. Appropriate statistical tests were used to assess variations in LDH levels with respect to the presence of disease, age at onset and menopausal status of the proband, stage of the disease and mode of anti-cancer therapy followed Lactate dehydrogenase levels were found to be significantly elevated in breast cancer (302.45 + 7.67) as compared to control (173.77 + 3.4). Significant elevations in LDH levels were also observed with increasing age at onset, onset of menopause, advance stage of cancer and due to the anti-cancer treatment followed. These results suggest an immense potential for LDH as a prognostic marker for breast cancer.