Abstract:
Increased oxidative
and nitrosative stress associated with disturbances in
antioxidant defense system have been implicated in the
pathogenesis of several diseases, most notably oral
cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidant–
antioxidant status in blood samples and tumor tissue in
oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients in
comparison with the healthy controls.
METHODS: Blood and tumor tissue samples from the
diseased individuals and the normal controls were ana-
lyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO)
as indicators of oxidative stress and nitrosative stress
respectively; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase
enzymes as indicators of antioxidant defense by UV
visible spectrophotometer.
RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and NO levels were signifi-
cantly elevated in the blood and tissue samples of OSCC
patients as compared with the healthy controls. The anti-
oxidant enzymes SOD and catalase were significantly
reduced in tissue samples of OSCC group than in the
control group while in the erythrocytes, catalase levels
were significantly reduced and the SOD levels were higher
in OSCC group in comparison with the healthy controls.
INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Increased
levels of MDA and NO indicate an increase in the oxidative
stress in OSCC patients associated with a deficient anti-
oxidant defense mechanism. This oxidant–antioxidant
imbalance may be considered as one of the factors
responsible for pathogenesis of cancer. Future studies
regarding assessment of oxidant–antioxidant status in
OSCC patients in view of selecting appropriate mode of
therapy and the effectiveness of such therapy in limiting
the tumor progression and recurrence is to be carried out.
