The potential role of metal-induced oxidative stress in human pancreatic cancer: Preliminary results.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and a worldwide health treat. However, it is rather unclear which environmental pollutants can be linked to PC development. Exposure to toxic metals through various sources can be one of the risk factors, especially having in mind that some toxic metals can induce oxidative stress, which has already been associated with the pathogenesis of PC. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), toxic metals of great environmental concern known to induce oxidative stress, in the blood of PC patients and healthy control subjects, as well as to examine the following biomarkers of oxidative stress: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), sulfhydrylgroups (SH), and lipid peroxides (TBARS) in blood. Blood samples were obtained from 15 PC patients and 7 healthy subjects. The present study demonstrated a significant increase in Pb concentrations in patients with carcinoma when compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in Cd levels. The activities of SOD and CAT, as well as the concentration of SH groups, were significantly higher in people with PC compared with controls (p<0.05) proving oxidative stress induction in the blood of PC patients. This work contributes to a better understanding of the potential role of metal-induced oxidative stress in PC aetiology. However, confirmation of these pilot findings in a larger study is needed.