Interplay of Serum Apoptotic Proteins and Oxidative Stress Markers in Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

Abstract

Background Apoptotic evasion is one of the genuine hallmarks of cancer and appears to be a critical component of most therapeutic options in prostate cancer treatment. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species play a critical role in the execution of apoptosis. Redox and antioxidant changes are involved in malignant transformation and are associated with therapeutic intervention in prostate cancer. Method The study population were prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia subjects and age-matched controls (45–85 years). Oxidative stress (OS) markers; Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), antioxidant enzymes; Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined by spectrophotometric methods while apoptotic proteins were determined by ELISA methods. Findings : Higher plasma concentration of MDA and H2O2 were found in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia than in controls (p < 0.05), Plasma concentration of nitric oxide was significantly lower in prostate cancer than in controls (P < 0.05). We found a significantly increase activity of catalase in prostate cancer (11.9 ± 2.28) and BPH (12.89 ± 3.22) than controls (8.95 ± 2.25). SOD and GPx were significantly lower in the prostate cancer group (p < 0.05), an increased activity of GPx was observed in the BPH group versus PCa and controls. We found an increased concentration of p53 protein and a reduced concentration of cytochrome C (CYTc) and TNF-α in the prostate cancer group compared to the control group. Similarly, we observed reduced activity of CASP3 in the PCa group. A negative correlation was observed between CAT and CYTc (p = 0.003), while a negative correlation was found between CAT Vs P53 (p = 0.001) in the BPH group. In the control group, a positive correlation exists between GPx and TNFα (p = 0.04). Conclusion The interplay between oxidative stress and the antioxidant molecule is associated with prostate cancer. The presence of antioxidant species may significantly modify the apoptotic process by reducing the level of redox molecules thereby preventing the activation of apoptotic mechanism. Low levels of Nitric oxide stand out in our prostate cancer cohort, and this could be explored to redirect pro-apoptotic mechanisms in prostate cancer.