Biomedicine

Abstract

Introduction: The present investigation is aimed to assess the magnitude of oxidative stress by quantifying malondialdehyde levels, and to evaluate the contribution of antioxidants glutathione reductase and vitamin C in mitigating oxidative damage in prostate cancer patients. Methodology: 30 healthy controls and 30 prostate cancer patients, aged 65 and 75 years, were enrolled. Venous blood samples (10 ml) were collected. 2 ml was allocated for MDA analysis, 2 ml for hemolysate preparation, and 6 ml was placed in plain tubes, centrifuged to separate serum, and stored at 4°C. Biochemical analyses were conducted within 24 hours using a colorimeter. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age between the control and patient groups (p = 0.117). The biochemical findings are summarized as: Malondialdehyde (MDA): Controls: 6.17 ± 1.00 nmol/ml; Prostate Cancer Patients: 15.83 ± 3.63 nmol/ml ; p < 0.00; Glutathione Reductase: Controls: 8.96 ± 1.04 IU/g of Hb; Prostate Cancer Patients: 3.32 ± 0.76 IU/g of Hb; p < 0.001; and Vitamin C: Controls: 0.87 ± 0.01 mg/dl; Prostate Cancer Patients: 0.50 ± 0.15 mg/dl; p < 0.001. Conclusion: There is marked elevation in oxidative stress and significant reduction in antioxidant defense mechanisms in patients with prostate cancer relative to age-matched healthy individuals. Supplementation with natural antioxidants could potentially retard the progression of such malignancies to some extent.