Oxidative Stress Markers in Prostate Cancer Patients after HDR Brachytherapy Combined with External Beam Radiation

Abstract

Assessment of oxidative stress markers was perfomed in prostate cancer (PCa) patients subjected to high-dose brachytherapy (HDR) with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Sixty men with PCa were subjected to combined two-fraction treatment with HDR (tot. 20 Gy) and EBRT (46 Gy). Blood samples were taken before treatment, immediately afterwards, after 1.5–3 months, and approx. 2 years. Control group consisted of 30 healthy men. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in the patients was lower than in healthy subjects by 34% (P < 0.001), 50% (P < 0.001), 30% (P < 0.05), and 61% (P < 0.001), respectively, at all periods. No significant differences were found by comparing superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in PCa patients with that of the controls. After 2 years of the end of treatment, the activity of studied enzymes demonstrated a decreasing tendency versus before therapy. Blood plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration was higher than in the controls at all periods, while erythrocyte TBARS decreased after 2 years to control levels. The results confirm that in the course of PCa, imbalance of oxidant-antioxidant processes occurs. The therapy did not alter the levels of oxidative stress markers, which may prove its applicability. Two years is too short a period to restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Oxidative stress in prostate cancer patients: A systematic review of case control studies

“…The main reason for the inconsistency in SOD and CAT values could be attributed to the progression of disease. 49 This hypothesis is consistent with Battisit et al 47 who observed that an alteration in CAT and SOD values existed between patients with localized disease and those with bone metastases.…”

“…CAT was measured on erythrocytes and whole blood samples in six studies. Four studies 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 reported lower CAT levels in patients and two studies 40 , 49 found no differences. The main reason for the inconsistency in SOD and CAT values could be attributed to the progression of disease.…”

“…SOD was measured in eight studies with erythrocytes or whole blood. Five studies reported low SOD levels in patients while two studies 42 , 47 reported contrasting results, and one study 49 found no differences. CAT was measured on erythrocytes and whole blood samples in six studies.…”

Pre and post radiotherapy serum oxidant/antioxidant status in breast cancer patients: Impact of age, BMI and clinical stage of the disease

“…Wozniak et al in their research on patients with prostate cancer reported no significant differences in SOD and CAT activity, as well as MDA concentration before and after radiation therapy. 37 In another survey by Demirci et al on antioxidant status in 35 cervical cancer patients, the authors did not find significant differences between the levels of SOD, MDA and GPx status pre-RT and post-RT. 38 According to our knowledge, the reports regarding to the impact of age on the oxidant/antioxidant variables are limited.…”

Protective Effect of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) against Prostate Cancer: From In Vitro Data to Algerian Patients

“…Whether the antioxidant/antiproliferative effects of green tea extracts observed in vitro also occur in the prostate tissue or whether the oxidative stress measured in erythrocytes is also observed in the prostate gland tissue from PC patients is not known. Still, several other studies used this same approach [56–58]. This was not possible due to ethical concerns and refusal of PC patients to suffer repeated biopsies.…”