A number of studies have investigated the roles of lipid peroxidation/ anti-oxidative balance as risk factors of prostate cancer. However, no study has yet to relate these factors with dietary habits of individuals in this environment. The objective of this study was to assess the role of lipid peroxidation and its relationship with vitamin D, calcium and dietary habits in individuals with prostate cancer. A total of sixty four (64) male participants (32 patients and 32 age-matched apparently healthy individuals as control) were recruited. Blood samples were analyzed for Malondialdehyde (MDA), Total antioxidant status (TAS), Calcium and Albumin spectrophotometrically; Prostate specific antigen (PSA) using immune radiometric assay; and Vitamin D by high performance liquid chromatography. Participants with prostate cancer had a significantly higher (p≤ 0.05) mean plasma level of MDA and PSA but lower TAS and vitamin D when compared with the control group. The plasma levels of MDA had a significant positive correlation with plasma PSA while negative with TAS in both groups. A significant proportion of the study participants that consumed dairy and smoked food regularly had a higher mean plasma level of MDA when compared with those that did not regularly as well as the control. This study has provided support for the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress is associated with prostate cancer. A peculiar relationship exists between dairy and smoked food in prostate cancer which may be linked with increased lipid peroxidation.

The interplay of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in atherosclerosis has been fairly established by previous studies. There remains however, paucity of data in this environment on the direct effects of antioxidants on atherosclerosis. This study therefore aimed at determining the protective effects of EDTA, vitamin C and Vitamin E on atherosclerosis in diet induced heperlipidemic wister rats. Thirty Wister rats were investigated in this study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6). The control group was fed with growers mash and water only while group II-V were induced with hyperlipidemic diet for ten weeks. In addition to the hyperlipidemic diet; group III received 1 g/kg body weight of EDTA, group IV received 1 g/kg body weight of vitamin C, group V received 1 g/kg body weight of vitamin E, and group VI received EDTA, vitamin C and E. The group’s treatments were orally for two weeks. C-reactive protein, Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Total calcium and Total antioxidant status were analyzed using standard methods after the treatments. The study showed significant effect in the use of EDTA, Vitamin C and Vitamin E in the treatment of atherosclerosis in rats which could be due to their antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. Therefore the combinations EDTA, vitamin C and vitamin E appear greatly protective against atherosclerosis.