Direct evidence of caeruloplasmin antioxidant properties.

The chain-breaking antioxidant potential of caeruloplasmin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated in comparison with other well-established antioxidants. Their Oxygen Radical Absorbing Capacity (ORAC), was measured by using beta-phycocyanin (beta-PC) as a fluorescent indicator protein, 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) as a peroxyl radical generator and the water soluble vitamin E analogue, Trolox, as a reference standard. The relative peroxyl absorbing capacities/mole for Trolox, caeruloplasmin, heat-denatured caeruloplasmin (hCP), catalase, bovine serum albumin (BSA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and deferoxamine were 1; 2.6; 3.3; 3.7; 1.2; 0.1; 0.2, respectively. Caeruloplasmin was far more effective as a peroxyl radical scavenger than SOD, deferoxamine and BSA, but slightly less effective than catalase. The peroxyl radical absorbing capacity of caeruloplasmin was enhanced by heat-denaturation of the protein. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin-trap, was applied in order to measure the scavenger abilities of caeruloplasmin on superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical production and the concentration required to inhibit by 50% oxygen free radical formation (IC50) was determined. The IC50 values of caeruloplasmin, hCP, and BSA for the superoxide radical were 12, 2, 260 microM and for the hydroxyl radical 15, 2, 200 microM. These results show that caeruloplasmin is an effective chain-breaking antioxidant for a variety of radicals, independently of its catalytic ferroxidase activity.

Lumpectomy and radiation treatment for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

BACKGROUND: Large studies have shown a similar outcome when comparing mastectomy with lumpectomy and external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. However, this has not been studied extensively for invasive lobular carcinoma. We studied the pattern of recurrence and overall survival of patients treated with lumpectomy and radiation for either invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) or combined invasive lobular carcinoma/invasive ductal carcinoma (ILC/IDC) of the breast. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed for 111 patients with ILC or ILC/IDC who were diagnosed and/or treated at the university hospital between 1984 and 1994. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients, 93 had stage I or II tumors. Thirty-four patients (37%) were treated with lumpectomy and adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy with one (3%) local recurrence and a mean overall survival of 83.6 months. Fifty-nine patients (63%) were treated by modified radical mastectomy with two local recurrences (3%) and a mean overall survival of 71.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ILC or ILC/IDC can be effectively treated with lumpectomy and radiation for stage I and II tumors while maintaining a low risk of local recurrence and equivalent overall survival.