EFFECT OF INFLAMMATION ON MEASURES OF ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

This study examined the effect of an inflammatory response on measures of antioxidant status in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NS CLC). In healthy, control subjects (n = 13) and NSCLC patients (n = 22 ) fasting concentrations of albumin, C-reactive protein, cholesterol, and the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, retinol, lutein, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene were measured. The two groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and body mass index. However, the cancer group had an inflammatory response as evidenced by significantly increased C-re active protein concentrations. Concentrations of all the measured anti oxidants of the NSCLC group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). The lowest concentrations were those of the carotenoids lycopene and alpha- and beta-carotene. In the cancer grou p there were significant negative correlations between concentrations of C-reactive protein and retinol (r = -0.682, P < 0.01), alpha-tocoph erol (r = -0.464, P < 0.05), and lutein (r = -0.599, P < 0.01). The re sults of this study have implications for the interpretation of circul ating antioxidant concentrations in patients with NSCLC.