Lipid Peroxidation and Enzymatic Antioxidants among Breast Cancer Women of African Descent in Sokoto, Nigeria

Aims: To assess lipid peroxidation and enzymatic antioxidants in breast cancer patients attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which patients with confirmed cases of breast cancer and age-and gender-matched apparently healthy individuals were studied.

Place and Duration of Study: Breast Cancer Clinic, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto and Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, between January, 2015 and December, 2015.

Methodology: We included forty six (46) each of breast cancer women and controls (age range 20 to ≥70 years). Demographic and anthropometric data were obtained using questionnaires administered to each breast cancer patient and control. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and serum concentration of malondialdehyde were estimated using standard techniques.

Results: Result indicated significantly (p<0.001) lower serum activities of SOD (1.52±0.03 U/ml), CAT (1.57±0.09 U/ml) and GPX (10.25±0.29 nmol/min/ml), while MDA (21.07±0.93 µl) is significantly (p<0.001) higher in breast cancer patients compared with controls (3.54±0.06 U/ml, 5.85±0.10 U/ml, 24.53±0.17 nmol/min/ml and 8.88±0.66 µl respectively). With the exception of serum SOD which is significantly (p<0.001) lower as the cancer progresses from stage I to IV, serum activities of CAT, GPX and concentration of MDA were not significantly (p>0.05) different between the stages of the breast cancer. Serum SOD (1.47±0.04 U/ml), CAT (1.39±0.10 U/ml) and GPX (9.53±0.23 nmol /min/ml) were significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) lower, while MDA did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the breast cancer patients on therapy compared with those not on therapy (1.62±0.07 U/ml, 1.99±0.17 U/ml and 12.07±0.54 nmol/min/ml respectively).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, the breast cancer patients are oxidatively stressed as evidenced by the lower serum activities of antioxidant enzymes and higher malondialdehyde concentration. It is recommended that, breast cancer patients be supplemented with antioxidants in order to prevent the oxidative onslaught by free radicals.