Erythrocyte glutathione and serum glutathione-S-transferase in patients with brain tumors

Plasma protein oxidation in patients with brain tumors

OBJECTIVE

Proteins can undergo numerous covalent changes on exposure to oxidants. Oxidative modification of protein in vivo may affect a variety of cellular functions. Protein oxidation in vivo is a natural consequence of aerobic life. Oxygen radicals and other activated oxygen species generated as byproducts of cellular metabolism or from environmental sources cause modifications to the amino acids of proteins that generally result in loss of protein function/enzymatic activity. It is now well known that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in human cancer development. Moreover, the brain is especially vulnerable to ROS mediated injury.

METHOD

Therefore, in the present study, protein oxidation was assessed in the plasma of 17 patients with brain tumors and 16 age and gender-matched controls by measuring protein thiols and protein carbonyls spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in protein thiols and carbonyls in malignant cases of brain tumors when compared with the control group. No significant change in protein thiols was noted in benign cases compared to controls. A comparison of levels in benign and malignant cases for both the parameters also showed no significant difference.

DISCUSSION

Thus, free radical toxicity does lead to protein oxidation in patients with brain tumors.

Susceptibility of peripheral lymphocytes of brain tumour patients to in vitro radiation-induced DNA damage, a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

The present investigation aimed to study the susceptibility of lymphocytes collected from brain tumour patients to radiation-induced DNA damage under in vitro conditions.

METHODS

The peripheral lymphocytes collected from brain tumour patients were exposed to 2-Gy gamma radiation. Susceptibility of lymphocytes to radiation-induced DNA damage and their repair ability was assessed by alkaline comet assay.

RESULTS

Lymphocytes of patients with benign and malignant tumour had a significantly higher (p < 0.001) baseline DNA damage compared to lymphocytes from normal subjects. A significant increase (p < 0.001) in DNA damage was observed immediately after irradiation of lymphocytes from healthy subjects and brain tumour patients. However, at 1 h after irradiation the level of DNA damage dropped significantly (p < 0.001) compared to that of immediately after irradiation of respective groups.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, the lymphocytes of brain tumour patients possess a higher level of basal DNA damage and exhibit a higher susceptibility to a clastogenic agent like radiation.