Measurement of redox balance of patients with different liver neoplasms with a method based on chemiluminometry

Background: Liver neoplasms have influence on the redox-homeostasis of the liver and the whole body, as well. Even in the early stages of tumorogenesis significant alterations of the redox system of the plasma and red blood cells can be found.

Aim: To study the alterations of redox balance of the blood in patients suffering from different hepatic tumours.

Methods: 71 Caucasian patients with histological diagnosis (benign (N=11), primer malignant (N=23) and colorectal metastases (N=37)) of hepatic neoplasm were investigated. Blood samples, then plasma and erythrocyte samples were separated. A recently developed chemiluminescent assay kit (Diachem TSC 48561) adapted to a Berthold Lumat 9501 instrument was applied. The procedure was carried out by the method of Blázovics et al. The volume of plasma and erythrocyte (haemoglobin content: 1g/ml) samples was 0.100ml. Chemiluminescent intensity of the samples was expressed in RLU (relative light unit) (basic chemical reaction means: H2O2-luminol-microperoxidase reaction).

Results: Significant differences were found between the different groups. Scavenger capacity of plasma and erythrocyte samples of patients with benign liver tumours was in the normal range described in the literature. Antioxidant property of the entire body decreased due to malignant primary liver neoplasms. Metastases in the liver seemed to destruct the antioxidant system of the body.

Conclusion: Measurement of chemiluminescent intensity proved to be efficient for redox characterisation of different hepatic neoplasms.

Support: ETT-002/2003, NKFP-1B/047