Effect of tamoxifen on lipid peroxide and antioxidative system in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Abstract

Background. Current evidence clearly indicates that free radicals play a prominent role in the incidence and development of breast cancer. Available literature suggests that tamoxifen is a potent suppressor of lipid peroxide formation in both animal and human systems. The purpose of this study was to understand the rate of lipid peroxidation and the status of antioxidants in tamoxifen‐treated postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Methods. A short term evaluation of 6 months' tamoxifen therapy (10 mg twice a day) in 64 postmeno‐pausal women was conducted. The rate of serum lipid peroxidation and the status of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants were evaluated before and after 3 and 6 months' tamoxifen treatment. Results. At 3 and 6 months' evaluation, tamoxifen‐treated patients showed a significantly decreased concentration of malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and remarkably increased levels of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. In addition to that, the concentrations of serum selenium and vitamins A, C, and E were increased significantly (P < 0.01 for each) in these patients. Conclusion. The results suggest that tamoxifen therapy exerts significant positive effects on the rate of lipid peroxidation and protective systems in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Combination Therapy with Tamoxifen and Amphotericin B in Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

“…Therefore, altered membrane physiology might extend the lesions caused by amphotericin B. On the other hand, tamoxifen has been shown to prevent lipid peroxidation (34) and to behave as an antioxidant (35,36), which might reduce the adverse effects of amphotericin B.…”

Moderate alcohol consumption and levels of antioxidant vitamins and isoprostanes in postmenopausal women

“…In addition, women with more advanced breast cancer had more lipid peroxides than women with localized cancers. Lastly, the prescription drug Tamoxifen, used widely as an antiestrogen in the treatment of breast cancer, has been shown to reduce lipid peroxidation and decrease serum MDA levels in breast cancer patients (Thangaraju et al, 1994).…”

“…Levels of F 2 -isoprostanes in body fluids are elevated by conditions that are thought to be associated with free radical-induced oxidative stress, including smoking (Morrow et al, 1995;Reilly et al, 1996), hypercholesterolemia (Davi et al, 1997;Reilly et al, 1998;Palombo et al, 1999), diabetes (Davi et al, 1999), and acute and chronic alcoholic liver disease Meagher et al, 1999). Recent research suggests a role for oxidative stress in breast cancer (Kumar et al, 1991;Thangaraju et al, 1994;Li et al, 1999;Novak & Woodcroft, 2000;Ray et al, 2000).…”

Role of Lipid Peroxidation in the Epidemiology and Prevention of Breast Cancer

“…In another study, tamoxifen induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in ER-negative human cancer cell lines (140). In contrast, tamoxifen has been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation in some studies (141,142). Tamoxifen has both estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties, and as such, it may exhibit both antioxidant and oxidant activities.…”