ASSAY FOR ERYTHROCYTE SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG-CANCER AND EFFECTS ON POLLUTION AND SMOKE TRACE-ELEMENTS

The antioxidative effect of CuZnSOD, which catalyzes the dismutation o f superoxide anion (O-2(-)) provides a defense against the oxygen toxi city. The object of the study is to evaluate the erythrocytes superoxi de dismutase (SOD) activity in two groups of persons (Group I, healthy blood donors; Group II, lung cancer patients), using the spectrophoto metric assay of NADH oxidation and the indirect method (1-27). The eff ect of trace elements, such as Al3-, Cr3+, Fe3+, Hg2+, NI2+, and Pb2(producing free radicals oxygen and present in pollution and smoke) is also evaluated. The results show the decrease of SOD activity in lung cancer patients with respect to healthy individuals. Likewise, in tho se patients the enzymatic activity is bigger in early stage (I,II) wit h respect to advanced one (III) (p < 0.05). The lesser activity when t he samples are incubated with Ni or Pb point out that these metals pla y a role in neoplasm development. In short, the oxidant-antioxidant ba lance is altered in lung cancer patients.