Background
The main aim of this study was to assess the serum levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) with lipid peroxidation, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) activity, and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
Materials and methods
The study was conducted in 34 MM patients at stage I. Serum Cu and Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Also, spectrophotometric assays of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in addition to Cp and Cu/Zn SOD were quantitated.
Results
The results showed a significant decrease in the serum Zn levels in patients with MM (p < 0.0001). Also, serum Cu levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001). However, the serum Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the cancer patients (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was observed in the patients group compared with the control group according to the Cu/Zn SOD activity (p < 0.0001). Moreover, serum levels of Cp and MDA were significantly increased in patients (p < 0.0001, both).
Conclusions
The elevated levels of serum Cu and MDA with a decrease in Zn and Cu/Zn SOD might explain the increased oxidative stress in MM disease. As the high Cu level was observed in MM patients, therefore, Cu levels should be concentrated in the pathogenesis and progression of MM disease.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.