Oxidative stress parameters in women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and treated with nutraceutical doses of oral glutamine

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of oral administration of GLN on the oxidative stress in women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant FAC chemotherapy (5 fluouracil 500 mg/m²+Doxorubicin 50 mg/m²+Cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m² body surface area). METHODS: Twenty women (mean age: 51.7 years) with breast ductal carcinomas classified as T3 or T4 were included in the study, regardless of pre or post menopause status. Sachets containing glutamine 15g ("A") or milk protein 15g ("B") were prepared by a registered pharmacist. Allocation of patients was made by software program. Patients who received sachets labeled "A" were included in G1 group. The remaining patients, treated with the preparation labeled "B", were included in group G2. Sachets contents were blended in 150 ml of drinking water, and were given daily to each patient during the entire course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Peripheral blood samples were collected in the first day of each of the three cycles of chemotherapy before drug infusion. Tumor and normal breast samples were collected at the end of Patey´s surgical procedure. Samples were analysed for GSH and TBARS contents. RESULTS: TBARS and GSH values were not different in breast healthy and tumor tissues nor blood when comparing control (G-2) and glutamine-treated (G-1) patients. Also, no significant differences were found in TBARS and GSH levels comparing different timepoints within the same group. CONCLUSION: Oral GLN (15g/kg/day) offers no protection against systemic or local oxidative stress in women with breast Ca undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FAC).

Glutamine protects against oxidative stress injury through inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in parkinsonian cell model

“…Glutamine affects the process of various diseases by regulating oxidative stress [25, 26]. PI3K/Akt signaling cascade was the common final pathway for neuroprotection and self-repair through antioxidative stress [27].…”

The Reactive Carbonyl Derivatives of Proteins, Methylglyoxal, and Malondialdehyde in Blood of Women with Breast Cancer

“…In a few studies on LP and antioxidant system in the blood and tumor tissue in BC, conflicting results have been identified. Thus, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood of women with BC in comparison with the healthy women was increased [7], the same [8], or reduced [9]. An increase in MDA levels was detected in the early stages of cancer.…”

Assessment of the redox profile and oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG) in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

“…The association between cancer and inadequate levels of antioxidant capacity has been reported. [14,23,[36][37][38] Glutathione, another antioxidant, is also found to be lower in cancer patients in comparison to healthy controls. [23,39] Farias et al [36] claimed that there is no significant difference in levels of GSH in breast cancer patients.…”