Free oxygen radical activity and some antioxidants in plasma of patients with Hodgkin's Disease

ABSTRACT

In this study levels of the lipid peroxide malondialdehyde [MDA], a marker of free oxygen radicals [FOR] activity, together with those of three potent antioxidants; namely, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the trace element selenium, were estimated in plasma of 40 patients proved to suffer from Hodgkin's disease by thorough history and clinical examination, appropriate laboratory investigations, and histopathological examination of biopsied tissues, as well as plasma of 20 healthy subjects matched for age, sex and nutritional status, as control. Results showed statistically significant increase in MDA levels accompanied by significant decrease in vitamin E and selenium levels, with no significant change in vitamin C plasma levels, all compared to control. Significant negative correlations were noticed between MDA and each of vitamin E and selenium. Conclusively, there is increased FOR activity accompanied by derangement in some antioxidants in patient with Hodgkin's disease. The relation of these changes to the course of the disease needs further studies which are recommended also to unravel the responsible mechanisms for these changes and to elucidate whether dietary antioxidant supplementation will be beneficial