Effects of cigarette smoking on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in cancer patients from Western Nepal

Objectives: There is growing evidence that oxidative stress (OS) has a causal relationship with cancer and a weak antioxidant defense can aggravate it further. We therefore, undertook this study to examine lipid peroxidation (TBARS), total antioxidant activity (TAA), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol levels in cancer patients, with special attention to the influence of smoking. Methods: The study subjects were 42 patients (61.19±10.1yrs) suffering from cancer and 43 normal subjects (NS) (56.69±19.1yrs). Plasma levels of TBARS, TAA, vitamin C and α-tocopherol were estimated. Results: TAA and α-tocopherol levels were significantly lower and TBARS levels significantly higher in cancer patients when compared to NS. In smoking cancer patient's α-tocopherol levels were significantly low and TBARS significantly raised. Conclusion: Our observations indicate that increased lipid peroxidation, reduced total antioxidant activity and α-tocopherol levels are associated with cancer development, with and without smoking. However, a greater reduction of TAA in smokers may be due to increased oxidants introduced by smoking.