ABSTRACT
Numerous studies have shown a depletion of antioxidants and increased amount of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in patients with malignancies but no such study have been carried out on the levels of antioxidants in cancer patients in Zariawhich necessitated this study. The overall objective of this study was to measure the serum antioxidant minerals and enzymes in cancer patients and controls. One hundred cancer patients who were histologically or cytologically confirmed and an equal number of apparently healthy aged and sex-matched controls were recruited. Their serum antioxidant minerals (selenium; Se, copper; Cu and zinc; Zn) and enzymes (glutathione peroxidase; Gpx, superoxide dismutase; SOD and catalase; Cat) were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and direct colorimetric methods. The mean serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, SOD and GPx were significantly lower in cancer patients compared to the controls while the mean concentrations of Se and Cat were similar in both the patients and controls. There was a significant and negative correlation between the duration of cancer and the serum levels of Zn, Se, and GPx. There was no significant difference in the serum concentration of the analytes between cancer patients aged greater than 65 years and those less than 65 years. It was therefore concluded from this study that the serumlevels of antioxidant minerals (Cu and Zn) and enzymes (SOD and GPx) were lower in patients with cancer than the controls and that there was a decrease in the levels of antioxidant minerals (Zn and Se) and enzyme (Gpx) in the serum of cancer patients as the duration of cancer progresses. It was recommended that a routine evaluation of antioxidant minerals and enzymes be considered in the management of cancer patients in Nigerian hospitals.