Glutathione: Postoperative Study in Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Breast cancer represents a significant problem in the world. Glutathione a tripeptide is found in all mammalian tissues. Thus any change in its synthesis or utilization can profoundly influence the redox status of cells. In this study blood sample was collected from 60 FNAC confirmed breast cancer patients (preoperative and postoperative three months) and 30 normal healthy controls for the estimation of glutathione. There was significant increase in glutathione in preoperative cases when compared with postoperative and normal healthy controls (p=0.00). In the present study significant increase (p<0.001) in glutathione was observed in preoperative cases when compared with normal control and postoperative cases which can be a compensatory increase in response to increase in oxidative stress in cancer patients or to counter oxidative stress by increasing production of antioxidants. Increased glutathione may also enhance citrulline production which further increases nitric oxide production, causing deleterious effects like increased tumor blood flow along with promotion of angiogenesis which could explain the positive correlation between nitric oxide biosynthesis and grade of malignancy. So it can be said, steps should be taken for reducing oxidative stress which lead to further decrease in glutathione, citrulline and nitric oxide cycle.

Keywords: Glutathione, Breast carcinoma, Oxidative stress

Cite this Article

Priyanka Verma, Glutathione: postoperative study in Breast carcinoma. Research & Reviews: Journal of Oncology and Hematology. 2018; 7(1): 3–6p.