Role of antioxidant enzymes in brain tumours

Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were analysed in 100 patients with intracra nial neoplasm and in 47 controls. There was a significant decrease in RBC g lutathione reductase (GRx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in most types of brain tumor cases. Patients with acoustic neurinoma showed a signi ficant reduction in selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) acti vity, A decrease in catalase (CT) activity was seen in most of the brain tu mor patients but remained statistically insignificant when compared to cont rols. A significant increase in plasma ceruloplasmin concentration was obse rved in patients with glioma. These enzymes were also studied in 27 post-tr eatment cases, GRx activity returned to normal levels in these patients. RB C SOD and plasma ceruloplasmin levels showed a tendency to return to normal . Hence, a marked decrease in the antioxidant enzymes may have a role in th e genesis of considerable oxidative stress in patients with brain rumors. ( C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.