英文摘要 |
Purposes: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in oxidative stress, trace elements, and heavy metals between patients who had received radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and healthy controls. Methods: From August 2007 to February 2008, 20 patients, 8 men and 12 women, with a mean age of 46.2 years (range 25–70) who had received radiotherapy for NPC, and 20 healthy controls, 13 men and 7 women with a mean age of 36.9 years (range 26–60) completed a questionnaire addressing medical history and nutritional status and provided a fasting blood sample. We chose malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GP), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase to represent oxidative stress. We measured trace elements including zinc, copper, selenium, and iron, and heavy metals including cadmium, lead, and mercury in the blood samples. Results: We observed more evidence of oxidative stress in patients who had been treated for NPC; the mean plasma MDA concentration was higher in the NPC group than in the control group. Anti-oxidative enzymes such as GP, GR, and catalase were decreased in the plasma of patients with NPC. Among the trace elements, plasma zinc levels were lower and plasma copper levels and plasma copper/zinc ratios were higher. Among the heavy metals, plasma cadmium and mercury levels were found to be higher in patients with NPC. Conclusions: Patients with NPC who received a complete course of radiation therapy had a greater burden of oxidative stress as well as higher levels of heavy metals including cadmium and mercury in their plasma. With regard to trace elements, they also had decreased plasma zinc levels and increased plasma copper levels and copper/zinc ratios in their blood. |