Correlation of lipid peroxidation and alpha-tocopherol supplementation in patients with cervical carcinoma, receiving radical radiotherapy

Vitamin E acts as antipromoter of carcinogenesis and MDA is a byproduct of lipid peroxidation inherent in carcinogenesis. Reduced serum levels of vita min E have been found to be associated with higher risk of oral, gastrointe stinal and breast cancers, This study was designed to evaluate status of se rum vitamin E levels in carcinoma cervix patients receiving radical radioth erapy (RRT). Material and Methods: Fifty patients with biopsy-proven carcin oma of the cervix were divided into two groups. Group I received vitamin E supplement (100 mg orally daily) in addition to RRT. Group II received RRT only. Serum vitamin E and MDA levels were compared in the two groups pre- a nd post-RRT using Duggans and Beuges methods, respectively. Results and Con clusion: Serum vitamin E levels were statistically lower in 50 patients tha n in controls. Post-RRT serum vitamin E levels increased in group I (p < 0. 02) and group II (p < 0.01) while serum MDA levels decreased in group I (p < 0.01) and group II (p < 0.05) meaning thereby that oxidative stress and c onsequent lipid peroxidation was reduced with decrease in tumour mass. Mean post-RRT serum vitamin E levels in the two groups was not statistically di fferent. We found that serum vitamin E levels in the patients did not corre late with oral supplementation of vitamin E.