Role of lipids, lipoproteins and vitamins in women with breast cancer

Objectives: Improper balance between the production of reactive oxygen meta bolites (ROMs), and antioxidative defense system have been defined as oxida tive stress in various pathologic conditions. Lipids, lipoproteins and anti oxidative vitamins have been associated with the risk of breast cancer. The present case-control study was conducted to investigate the status of anti oxidative vitamins (A. C and E), lipids (total cholesterol: TC and triglyce rides; TG), lipoproteins (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C and l ow-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C) and retinol-binding protein (RBP ) in breast cancer patients. The aim of the study was to find out oxidative stress in breast cancer. Design and methods: Plasma lipids, lipoproteins and vitamins were estimated in 54 untreated breast cancer patients of different clinical stages and in 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: Plasma TC (p < 0.05), and LDL-C and TG (p < 0.01) were found to be significantly elevated among breast cancer patients as compared to the con trols. On the other hand, plasma HDL-C concentration (p < 0.001) and vitami n C and E (p < 0.01) were observed significantly decreased in breast cancer patients than in the controls. The maximum changes in plasma TC, and vitam in C and E concentrations were observed in breast cancer patients with stag e IV when compared with controls. Conclusion: The study suggests that higher levels of TC and TG may play imp ortant role in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the elevated plasma LDL-C conce ntration, which is more susceptible to oxidation, may result in higher lipi d peroxidation in breast cancer patients. However. decreased concentrations of HDL-C and vitamin C and E are not likely to be sufficient enough to cou nter higher ROMs production reported earlier in breast cancer patients that may cause oxidative stress leading to cellular and molecular damage thereb y resulting in cell proliferation and malignant conversions. (C) 2001 The C anadian Society of Clinical Chemists. All rights: reserved.