Effect of tamoxifen on lipid peroxide and antioxidative system in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Muthusamy Thangaraju, Thiruvengadam Vijayalakshimi, Panchanatham Sachdanandam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Current evidence clearly indicates that free radicals play a prominent role in the incidence and development of breast cancer. Available literature suggests that tamoxifen is a potent suppressor of lipid peroxide formation in both animal and human systems. The purpose of this study was to understand the rate of lipid peroxidation and the status of antioxidants in tamoxifen‐treated postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Methods. A short term evaluation of 6 months' tamoxifen therapy (10 mg twice a day) in 64 postmeno‐pausal women was conducted. The rate of serum lipid peroxidation and the status of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants were evaluated before and after 3 and 6 months' tamoxifen treatment. Results. At 3 and 6 months' evaluation, tamoxifen‐treated patients showed a significantly decreased concentration of malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and remarkably increased levels of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. In addition to that, the concentrations of serum selenium and vitamins A, C, and E were increased significantly (P < 0.01 for each) in these patients. Conclusion. The results suggest that tamoxifen therapy exerts significant positive effects on the rate of lipid peroxidation and protective systems in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)78-82
Number of pages5
JournalCancer
Volume74
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antioxidants
  • breast cancer
  • lipid peroxide
  • postmenopausal women
  • tamoxifen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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