[Selenium and oxidative stress in cancer patients].

In order to identify the features of violations of free-radical processes in blood serum of 94 untreated cancer patients with different localization of the tumor (cancer of the stomach, colon, breast, ovarian, hemoblastoses) were determined selenium levels and indicators of oxidative stress (sum of metabolites of nitrogen--NOx, the level of superoxide dismutase--Cu/ZnSOD and malondiialdehyde-MDA, and the activity of catalase). In addition, 40 patients with malignant liver disease and clinical signs of liver failure in the early postoperative period was carried out a comparative evaluation of the efficacy of selenium-containing drug "Selenaze" (sodium selenite pentahydrate). It was found that selenium levels in cancer patients by 25-30% below the norm of 110-120 mg/l at a rate of 73.0 +/- 2.6 mg/l. Low levels of NOx was detected in patients with all tumor localizations (22.1 +/- 1.1 microM, with normal range 28.4 +/- 0.9 microM). The exceptions were patients with extensive malignant process in the liver, in which the NOx levels were significantly higher than normal (p < 0.001). The high level of NOx has a toxic effect on the hepatocyte, causing metabolic disorders and inflammatory-necrotic changes in the liver. Elevated levels of SOD and MDA in normal values of catalase activity was detected in all patients. The use of "Selenaze" in postoperative patients with tumors of the liver increased selenium levels by 10-12%, which was accompanied by a decrease in the content of SOD and NOx, and contributed to earlier recovery of detoxic and synthetic liver function. These findings point to an intensification of oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in the malignant process, which is the basis for metabolic correction.

[Free radical oxidation and the mechanisms of antioxidant defense in normal cells and tumor diseases (a lecture)].

The paper gives update on free radical oxidation and an antioxidant defense system in normal cells and cancers. It describes steps of oxidative stress: the emergence of free radicals, the development of chain reactions, and their inhibition by enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. A role of iron is shown in lipid peroxidation. The characteristics of major natural antioxidants and their implication in the regulation of the oxidant-antioxidant system in oncological care are given.

[Composite phytoadaptogens in oncology and gerontology].

The article describes results of research devoted to Phytomix-40, a mixture of plant adaptogens. It focuses on immunobiological criteria for its formulation, chemical composition and manufacture procedures, biological standartization tests, in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, clinical trials in patients with non-malignant tumours (benign prostatic hyperplasia), precancer (oral leukoplakia), advanced cancer (malignant gastric cancer), and age-related neurodegenerative disease (parkinsonism). Prospects for the development of other plant preparations for non-toxic prevention and treatment of cancer and prolongation of life span of the affected subjects are discussed.

[The oxidative stress in platelets of patients with ovary cancer as observed at chemotherapy]. / Okislitel'nyi sress v trombotsitah bol'nykh rakom iaichnikov v protsesse khimioterapii.

Disorders in the main chains of platelet antioxidant protection were examined in 32 patients with primarily-diagnosed ovary cancer who were postoperatively receiving chemotherapy according to PC. The activity of antioxidant-protection enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutation-S-transferase) as well as the content of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione were examined after each course of chemotherapy. The data obtained were compared with the aggregation ability of platelets, with the content of fibrinogen and with the count of platelets. The parameters of the antioxidant system in platelets were examined for control in 30 virtually healthy women. The results denote that the oxidant stress progression in the body due to the growing tumor and aggravating because of chemodrugs deregulates the free-radical processes in platelets, which can affect their functional properties or rheological blood properties.

[Antioxidant system of platelets in patients with ovary cancer]. / Antioksidantnaia sistema trombotsitov u bol'nykh rakom iaichnikov.

The activities of lipid peroxidation and of platelets' antioxidant protection were investigated in 30 healthy women and in 44 patients with primarily diagnosed different-stage ovary cancer (OC). An essentially higher activity of superoxide dimutase (SOD, by 2.5 times) and of catalase (by 1.5 times) was detected in platelets of OC patients versus the norm. A simultaneous increase of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) by 2.5 times denotes a free-radical activation. There was also an insignificant growth of the glutathione level, whereas the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) did not virtually change. A comparative analysis of the biochemical indices of patients with different stages of the disease revealed valuable distinctions related with a higher activity of SOD and catalase in stages 3-4 versus the initial stages. Notworthility, the MDA level was decreasing. Minor changes in the system of glutathione are not obviously decisive in impairing the regulatory mechanism of antioxidant protection in platelets unlike in malignant cells. The results provide a solid basis for assuming that the impact made by deranged regulations of free radicals on the platelet chain in the hemostasis system causes changes in the blood rheological properties entailing a higher aggregation of platelets, thus, triggering the onset of platelet-embolic complications in the discussed patient category. The impaired regulation mechanism of antioxidant protection in platelets is a major manifestation of the oxidant stress evolving due to a growing tumor; the mechanism is important for evaluating the structural-and-functional platelets' condition.

[Ways of antioxidative prevention of complications in immediate postoperative period in children with nephroblastoma]. / Puti antioksidatnoi profilaktiki oslozhneii v blizhaishii posleoperatsionnyi period u detei s nefroblastomoi.

The parameters of the activity of the antioxidative system (AOS) were studied in 85 patients aged 1 to 14 years who had nephroblastoma in the immediate postoperative period. They were compared with those in healthy children. To prevent AOS failure, Group 1 patients with nephroblastoma received ascorbic acid (AA) in a dose of 15 mg. Group 2 patients took a larger dose (25-30 mg) in combination with alpha-tocopherol. It was ascertained that the small dose of AA did not prevent AOS failure in the postoperative period while its larger doses prevented significant manifestations of antioxidative protective deficit, by reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative trophic complications.

[Antioxidant defense status of children in the early post-operative period in Wilms' tumor] . / Aktivnost' antioksidantnoi zashchity v rannem posleoperatsionnom periode u detei, bol'nykh nefroblastomoi.

Lipid peroxidation (LP) was studied in 85 patients, aged 1-14, with Wilms tumor (stage II-IV). In addition to standard infusions, patients of group I received ascorbic acid (AA) 15 mg/body weight postoperatively while, in group II, AA 25-35 mg/body was supplemented with alpha-tocopherol 1.4-1.9 mg/body. LP was evaluated by assaying malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and--such enzymes A3 superoxide dismutase--SOD; catalase--CA and nonenzymatic components (AA and blood-alpha-tocopherol) for status of antioxidant defense. Medium mass molecules (MMM) were used as markers of endogenous intoxication. Said procedures were carried out before surgery and on days 1, 3 and 5 after operation. A significant decrease in endogenous AA and alpha-tocopherol was established, as compared with healthy children, while a significant increase was registered in MDA, MMM, SOD and CA levels. The LP investigation confirmed the systemic impact of tumor. Surgical stress contributed to the rise of LP thus compromising antioxidant defense. Postoperative administration of high doses of AA in combination with alpha-tocopherol reduced the rates of LP processes.

[Changes of lipid peroxidation parameters in children being treated for cancer]. / Izmenenie pokazatelei perekisnogo okisleniia lipidov v protsesse lecheniia detei, stradaiushchikh razlichnymi onkologicheskimi zabolevaniiami.

Lipid peroxidation (LP) occurring in pediatric cancer patients receiving polychemotherapy has been investigated. Plasma level of malonic dialdehyde in children with retinoblastoma (Rtb) was found to drop while it remained unchanged in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The treatment caused different changes in the red cell catalase levels in said groups: the enzyme concentration increased in the Rtb patients in the course of therapy and decreased in the ALL group. A slight decline in alpha-tocopherol and retinol levels the Rtb group was matched by a relevant rise in blood-plasma in the ALL group. To adjust LP regulation and improve resistance, antioxidants should be given to pediatric cancer patients suffering peroxidation-related stress.

[The role of alpha-tocopherol and retinol in correcting disorders of lipid peroxidation in patients with malignant liver neoplasms]. / Rol' al'fa-tokoferola i retinola v korrektsii narushenii perekisnogo okisleniia lipidov bol'nykh so zlokachestvennymi opukholiami pecheni.

Patients with liver tumors are known to reveal antioxidant system disorders which lead to accumulation of products of lipids peroxidation and lower resistance. Levels of malonic dialdehyde as well as the antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase, catalase, alpha-tocopherol and retinol) in liver and tumor have been followed in 28 patients in whom liver was removed to treat malignant tumors. Liver and tumor tissue were shown to contain more dialdehyde and less superoxide dismutase and catalase than in the livers of accident victims. Treatment with alpha-tocoferol (600 mg), retinol (100,000 MU) and ascorbic acid (1.5 g) for 7 days before surgery was found to significantly reduce dialdehyde level in the liver. Also, the catalase level increased. Treatment with alpha-tocoferol and retinol resulted in their selective accumulation in the liver. No changes in lipid peroxidation or accumulation of alpha-tocoferol in tumor were recorded. Purulent and septic complications were 1.6 times less frequent after preoperative antioxidant treatment than in controls. It is recommended that said antioxidant treatment should be used to correct lipid peroxidation and to improve the effectiveness of therapy of liver cancer.

[Dietary effects of PUFA omega-3 on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in patients with IHD, hyperlipoproteinemia and hypertension]. / Vliianie diety s PNZK omega-3 na pokazateli POL i antioksidantnoi sistemy u bol'nykh IBS, giperlipoproteidemiei i gipertonicheskoi bolezn'iu.

Dietary effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega-3 on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant system were studied in 73 patients with ischemic heart disease, hyperlipoproteinemia (HLPE) type IIa, IIb, IV and essential hypertension. Eiconol-enriched antiatherosclerotic diet has more potent hypolipidemic, hypotensive and thrombolytic action in association with inhibition of LPO, enhances SOD activity, keeps red cell catalase within normal. Vitamin E concentrations were not changed. It is suggested that eiconol addition to antiatherosclerotic diet causes no LPO induction and is pathognomonic for HLPE, hypertension and IHD patients.

[Surgical stress in pediatric oncology]. / Operatsionnyi stress v detskoi onkologii.

Hormonal-metabolic examination was performed in 150 children suffering nephroblastoma and retroperitoneal tumors to outline features of surgical stress in pediatric cancer patients. Surgical trauma causes hyperglycemia associated with relatively low level of insulin and elevated concentration of somatotropin in blood. A reverse correlation was established between pre- and intraoperative values of many hormonal-metabolic parameters. Surgical stress results in cytolysis, protein catabolism and an increase in endogenous intoxication. Retabolil, eleuterococcus, gordox and preoperative infusion of glucose and neohemodes can be used for prevention of surgical stress.

[Intensive therapy using antioxidants in patients with lung cancer and respiratory insufficiency]. / Intensivnaia terapiia s ispol'zovaniem antioksidantov u bol'nykh rakom legkogo s dykhatel'noi nedostatost'iu.

Positive changes of respiratory function parameters and oxidation-reduction processes observed in 55 patients with lung cancer and low functional respiratory reserve indicate the advisability of introducing antioxidants and antiaggregants (cytochrome C, aevitum, Trental, rheopolyglucin) into complex intensive preoperative correcting therapy for the expansion of indications for surgery and attenuation of the operative risk.

[Hormonal and metabolic criteria of the adequacy of anesthesia during surgery of nephroblastoma in children]. / Gormonal'no-metabolicheskie kriterii adekvatnosti anestezii pri operatsiiakh po povodu nefroblastom u detei.

The data are presented on changes in hypophyseal-adrenal system and carbohydrate metabolism during transperitoneal nephrectomy in 42 children aged 1 to 15 years with stage II-III tumors. In 22 patients surgery was performed under combined neuroleptanalgesia with halothane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. In 20 patients halothane was replaced by diazepam. Glucose, insulin, ACTH, CTH, hydrocortisone, lactic and pyruvic acid levels, total activity of LDG, its isoenzymes and cAMP have been assessed at different stages of anesthesia and surgery.

[Preoperative correction of lipid peroxidation in patients with lung cancer]. / Predoperatsionnaia korrektsiia perekisnogo okisleniia lipidov u bol'nykh rakom legkogo.

The disturbed lipid peroxidation and oxidation-reduction processes revealed in patients with lung cancer should be regarded as decompensation of intracellular metabolic mechanisms. The degree of the above disturbances demands correction by using antioxidants both in the pre- and early postoperative period, which is directly confirmed by the results of surgical treatment of patients with lung cancer. To predict the course of the postoperative period, one, along with clinical data, can use such indexes as malonic aldehyde content and superoxide dismutase activity.

[The role of ascorbic acid in the combined preoperative preparation of cancer patients]. / Rol' askorbinovoi kisloty v komplekse predoperatsionnoi podgotovki onkologicheskikh bol'nykh.

Urine and blood levels of ascorbic acid (AA) were measured in healthy subjects (40), cases of cancer of the lung (74), stomach (32) and esophagus (12). AA levels were decreased in cancer patients, particularly, in those with gastric and esophageal tumors. A correlation between the decrease of AA level and the increase in blood concentrations of malonic and pyruvic acids was established. Administration of 1.5 g AA for 7 days was followed by blood-AA level returning practically to normal matched by decrease in lactate and pyruvate concentrations. Also, a correlation between postoperative complication frequency and AA deficit was shown. Correction of AA level was found to be an effective means of postoperative complication prevention.