Correlation between TBARS levels and glycolytic enzymes: The importance to the initial evaluation of clinical outcome of colorectal cancer patients

Preliminary insights into the effects of spinal manipulation therapy of different force magnitudes on blood biomarkers of oxidative stress and pro-resolution of inflammation mediators

BACKGROUND

Evidence has been reported that spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) leads to spine segmental hypoalgesia through neurophysiological and peripheral mechanisms related to regulating inflammatory biomarker function. However, these studies also showed substantial inter-individual variability in the biomarker responses. Such variability may be due to the incomplete understanding of the fundamental effects of force-based manipulations (e.g., patient-specific force-time characteristics) on a person's physiology in health and disease. This study investigated the short-term effects of distinct SMT force-time characteristics on blood oxidative stress and pro-resolution of inflammation biomarkers.

METHODS

Nineteen healthy adults between 18 and 45 years old were recruited between February and March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic and clustered into three groups: control (preload only), target total peak force of 400 N, and 800 N. A validated force-sensing table technology (FSTT®) determined the SMT force-time characteristics. Blood samples were collected at pre-intervention, immediately after SMT, and 20 min post-intervention. Parameters of the oxidant system (total oxidant status, lipid peroxidation and lipid hydroperoxide), the antioxidant system (total antioxidant capacity and bilirubin), and lipid-derived resolvin D1 were evaluated in plasma and erythrocytes through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assays.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 global pandemic impacted recruitment, and our pre-established target sample size could not be reached. As a result, there was a small sample size, which decreased the robustness of the statistical analysis. Despite the limitations, we observed that 400 N seemed to decrease systemic total oxidant status and lipid peroxidation biomarkers. However, 800 N appeared to transitorily increase these pro-oxidant parameters with a further transitory reduction in plasma total antioxidant capacity and resolvin D1 mediator.

CONCLUSION

Despite the small sample size, which elevates the risk of type II error (false negatives), and the interruption of recruitment caused by the pandemic, our findings appeared to indicate that different single SMT force-time characteristics presented contrasting effects on the systemic redox signalling biomarkers and pro-resolution of inflammation mediators in healthy participants. The findings need to be confirmed by further research; however, they provide baseline information and guidance for future studies in a clinical population.

Comprehensing the role of serum GGT in colorectal carcinoma: cancer risk, prognostic and diagnostic significance

Effective biomarkers are necessary for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC), a disease that continues to be a major worldwide health problem. Due to a potential connection to colorectal cancer, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), an important enzyme in metabolism of glutathione and cellular stress response, has drawn attention. GGT is an essential component of the antioxidant system that protects against oxidative stress. It is mostly found in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and biliary tract. Numerous health problems, such as metabolic disorders, liver illnesses, and several types of cancer, are linked to elevated blood GGT levels. This review aims to clarify the function of serum GGT in colorectal cancer by examining clinical research conducted over the past 20 years. A comprehensive analysis of pertinent literature identifies associations between high blood GGT levels and carcinoma of the colon risk, prognosis, and diagnostic potential. Increased GGT and a higher risk of colorectal cancer are positively correlated, according to epidemiological data consistently. The predictive capacity of GGT for colorectal adenomas underscores its use in early identification and preventive approaches. Additional clinical evidence indicates that higher GGT levels in CRC patients are associated with poorer outcomes, such as invasion of lymph nodes, advanced tumour stages, and decreased overall survival. Furthermore, changes in GGT levels after therapy offer information about patient survival and treatment effectiveness, highlighting its importance in therapy monitoring. In summary, this review underscores the multifaceted role of serum GGT in CRC, offering insights into its value as a biomarker for risk assessment, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring, while emphasizing the need for further research to validate its clinical utility.

The role of oxidative stress, tumor and inflammatory markers in colorectal cancer patients: A one-year follow-up study

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are known to play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study analyzed tumor, inflammatory and OS markers in CRC patients and in a control group. In addition, the evolution of these markers was evaluated after one-year of follow-up treatment. This was a longitudinal and prospective, observational study in 80 CRC patients who were candidates for tumor resection surgery and/or chemo-radiotherapy treatment and a healthy control group (n = 60). Subsequently, catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and GSSG/GSH ratio in serum and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and F2-IsoProstanes (F2-IsoPs) in urine at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment was analyzed. Tumor markers (CEA and CA 19.9), as well as inflammatory markers-leukocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) index, platelets, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL6)- were also analyzed. As expected, levels of CEA and CA 19.9 and markers of inflammation, except CRP, were significantly higher in CRC compared to the control group. Regarding OS markers, a decrease in CAT and GSH and an increase in GSSG, GSSG/GSH ratio, 8-oxodG and F2-IsoPs were found in CRC patients compared to healthy controls at baseline. After treatment, an improvement of their inflammation profile was accompanied by a progressive recovery of antioxidant enzyme activities and the decline of oxidative byproducts both in serum and urine. Based on the results obtained, we propose the assay of urinary 8-oxodG and F2-IsoPs, as well as serum CAT, GSH, GSSG as a marker for the evaluation of OS and the clinical follow-up of CRC patients.

Are antioxidant enzymes essential markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients - A review

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a significant role in human cells. Excessive ROS production damages important macromolecules such as nucleic acids and can initiate and develop the carcinogenesis process. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) are responsible for maintaining the balance between the functions of free radical formation and eliminating their excessive amounts. Based on the analyzed literature, the following conclusions can be made: 1. Antioxidant enzymes activity are important for diagnosing neoplastic diseases such as non-small-cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. 2. Non-small-cell lung cancer is usually characterized by decreased SOD and CAT activity and increased glutathione GST activity. Lowered SOD, CAT, and GPx activity is characteristic of bladder cancer. XOR, CAT, SOD and GPx expression is decreased in patients with ovarian cancer. Colorectal cancer is characterized by increased MnSOD expression (in vitro studies) and SOD expression while CAT, GPx, and GR are decreased (in vivo study). 3. SOD, CAT, and XOR are promising prognostic markers in cancer of the lung, bladder, ovarian, and colon.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Antioxidant Defenses and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: a Placebo-Controlled, Prospective Randomized Trial

The study aimed to investigate the effect of oral zinc supplementation on antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress markers during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Twenty-four patients who had undergone surgical resection of colorectal cancer participated in this placebo-controlled, prospective randomized study. The supplementation was started in the perioperative period, in which 10 patients received 70 mg of zinc (zinc group, n = 10) and 14 patients received placebo (placebo group, n = 14) for 16 weeks. Approximately 45 days after surgical resection of tumor, all patients received a chemotherapeutic regimen (capecitabine, capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin or 5-fluorouracil). Vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lipid peroxidation markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-isoprostane were determined before the first, second, third, and fourth chemotherapy cycles. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc group presented higher SOD values before the first, second, and fourth chemotherapy cycles and lower GPx values before the third cycle. There were no statistical differences between the study groups in vitamin C, vitamin E, MDA, or 8-isoprostane plasma values. Longitudinal analysis revealed decreased vitamin E concentration in the placebo group before the second and fourth cycles as compared with the initial values. Zinc supplementation during chemotherapy cycles increased SOD activity and maintained vitamin E concentrations. Although no effect of zinc supplementation on oxidative stress markers was observed, the increase in SOD activity indicates a production of stable free radicals, which may have a positive effect in cancer treatment.

Effects of 5-fluorouracil on oxidative stress and calcium levels in the blood of patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer

The administration of chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinoma is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and a concomitant decrease in antioxidant and element levels in the blood. This study investigated the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy on the levels of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), antioxidant vitamins, and elements in colorectal cancer patients. Twelve patients with newly diagnosed colorectal carcinoma and 12 healthy subjects were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from both the healthy controls and patients. 5-FU was intravenously administered to the patients for 6 weeks, and blood samples were collected again from the treatment group. In the patient group, lipid peroxidation levels were increased in both the plasma and erythrocyte samples, whereas GSH-Px activity and concentrations of GSH, vitamin E, and β-carotene in erythrocytes were decreased. The oxidant, antioxidant, and plasma calcium values were lower in 5-FU-treated patients than in the controls. Plasma vitamin A, chloride, sodium, and potassium concentrations did not change with 5-FU treatment. In conclusion, oxidative stress in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer is attributable to the disease and not to 5-FU treatment. Blood vitamin E, β-carotene, GSH, and GSH-Px levels could be useful as early biomarkers of the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level is a novel adverse prognostic indicator in human metastatic colorectal cancer

AIM

Biomarkers have been utilized for prognosis in colorectal cancer; however, relatively few have been identified. We compared the prognostic value of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

METHOD

Blood samples were collected from 239 patients with mCRC presenting between 2005 and 2010 in the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.

RESULTS

CEA (P < 0.001), CA19-9 (P < 0.001), GGT (P < 0.001), ALP (P < 0.001) and LDH (P = 0.001) were statistically significant prognostic factors of overall survival (OS). CEA (P = 0.002) and GGT (P = 0.021) were validated as independent predictors. On univariate analysis, CEA (P = 0.003), CA19-9 (P = 0.006), GGT (P < 0.001) and ALP (P = 0.001) were statistically significant predictive factors of progression-free survival (PFS) in patients having first-line chemotherapy. CEA (P = 0.011) and GGT (P = 0.027) were independent predictors. GGT (P = 0.001), ALP (P = 0.016) and LDH (P = 0.039) levels were correlated with the tumour response rate assessed by CT, whilst CEA (P = 0.724) and CA19-9 (P = 0.822) were not. There was a statistically significant difference in OS (P < 0.001) and PFS (P < 0.001) among patients who had elevations of both CEA and GGT compared with those in whom only one or neither was elevated.

CONCLUSION

Among GGT, LDH and ALP, only GGT plays an independent role with CEA in predicting OS and PFS in mCRC. When coupled with CEA, GGT may lead to improved prognostic predictors.

Expression and potential role of apolipoprotein D on the death-survival balance of human colorectal cancer cells under oxidative stress conditions

PURPOSE

Inverse correlations of apolipoprotein D (ApoD) expression with tumor growth have been shown, therefore proposing ApoD as a good prognostic marker for diverse cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Besides, ApoD expression is boosted upon oxidative stress (OS) in many pathological situations. This study aims at understanding the role of ApoD in the progression of human CRC.

METHODS

Samples of CRC and distant normal tissue (n = 51) were assayed for levels of lipid peroxidation, expression profile of OS-dependent genes, and protein expression. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ApoD gene were analyzed (n = 139), with no significant associations found. Finally, we assayed the effect of ApoD in proliferation and apoptosis in the CRC HT-29 cell line.

RESULTS

In CRC, lipid peroxides increase while ApoD messenger RNA and protein decrease through tumor progression, with a prominent decrease in stage I. In normal mucosa, ApoD protein is present in lamina propia and enteroendocrine cells. In CRC, ApoD expression is heterogeneous, with low expression in stromal cells commonly associated with high expression in the dysplastic epithelium. ApoD promoter is basally methylated in HT-29 cells but retains the ability to respond to OS. Exogenous addition of ApoD to HT-29 cells does not modify proliferation or apoptosis levels in control conditions, but it promotes apoptosis upon paraquat-induced OS.

CONCLUSION

Our results show ApoD as a gene responding to OS in the tumor microenvironment. Besides using ApoD as marker of initial stages of tumor progression, it can become a therapeutic tool promoting death of proliferating tumor cells suffering OS.