Effect of Oxidative Stress Injury and Antioxidant Status in Malignancy

Oxidative stress injury induced lipid peroxidation and the impairment of the antioxidant system has a potential role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Various pollutants like environmental toxicants and industrial wastages elevate the levels of lipid peroxidation products (LPP) with a decline in antioxidant status. During malignancy the level of antioxidant was low and LPP was more. The tissue damage (as evident from levels of C-reactive protein, CRP) in cancer patients was significantly higher. After radiation treatment the overall scenarios was altered as LPP and CRP level decreased and antioxidant level increased. Free radicals in the form of oxidative damage causes fatal diseases and oxyradical-induced cytotoxicity arises from both chronic and acute increases in reactive oxygen species, which give rise to subsequent lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and hence prevent and repair damage done by the free radicals.