Chromium and lead levels and alteration in DDPH inhibition in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Background: Recently the carcinogenic and toxic effects of some heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) through the mechanism of oxidative stress have been reported. Due to the various consequences of chemotherapeutic treatments on body hemostasis, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Adriamycin 60 mg/m2 and Cytoxan 600 mg/m2 (AC) chemotherapy on the serum levels of Cr, Pb, and the percent α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition. Methods: This study was performed on 50 patients with breast cancer at two separate sampling times, the first at the initiation of chemotherapy and the last at the end of three courses of the AC chemotherapy treatment. Serum levels of Cr and Pb were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The percent DPPH inhibition (% I) and also the effect of age and stage of the disease on the mentioned variables were evaluated. Statistical comparison of the obtained results before and after chemotherapy was performed using paired sample t-test. Intra-group evaluation of age and disease stages was done using an independent sample t-test. Results: A significant decrease was observed in the percent DPPH inhibition after 3 courses of chemotherapy (p<0.001). Cr and also Pb were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer after AC chemotherapy (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, AC chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer is associated with higher levels of Cr and Pb, which can eventually lead to worsened oxidative stress status in affected patients. However, it seems that these changes do not necessarily depend on age and the stage of the disease.

The effectiveness of Zataria extract mouthwash for the management of radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common debilitating complication of chemoradiotherapy treatment of head and neck cancers. This randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Zataria multiflora (ZM) extract mouthwash in the prevention and reduction of OM related to local radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with head and neck cancers, who underwent a conventional fractionated radiotherapy regimen, were entered into the study. Patients gargled the ZM mouthwash or a placebo before the beginning of the treatment three times daily and before each radiotherapy session. The assessment of OM was conducted according to WHO and Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The OM intensity trends in the ZM group during these weeks of treatment were detected 3.152 times less frequently than in the placebo group. A twofold decrease in the incidence of grades 3-4 OM was observed in the ZM group compared to the placebo. The use of the ZM mouthwash affected the incidence of grades 3-4 OM to a relative risk ratio of 0.432. The pain score was significantly decreased in the ZM group compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that ZM mouthwash effectively decreases the severity of OM and mouth pain in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of ZM mouthwash effectively decreases the severity of oral complications induced by ionizing radiation in patients during radiotherapy and resulted in high oral quality care. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Radioprotective effects of kojic acid against mortality induced by gamma irradiation in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of kojic acid on mortality induced by gamma irradiation in mice. The efficacy was compared with amifostine as a reference radioprotector. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari and Babolsar Radiotherapy Hospital, Babolsar, Iran, between October 2006 and January 2008. Kojic acid was administrated subcutaneously as single doses of 142, 175, 232, and 350 mg/kg, one hour prior to a lethal dose of gamma irradiation (8 Gy). Amifostine was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 200 mg/kg at a similar irradiation dose. The mortality was recorded 30 days after irradiation. The antioxidant activity of the kojic acid was assessed using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free stable radical (DPPH) method. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty NMRI mice were divided into 6 groups with 20 mice in each group. At 30 days after treatment, the percentage of survival in each group was: control, 5%; 142 mg/kg, 5%; 175 mg/kg, 0%; 232 mg/kg, 30%; 350 mg/kg, 40%; and amifostine, 40% one hour treatment prior gamma irradiation. The survival rate was statistically increased in animals treated with kojic acid (350 mg/kg), one hour prior irradiation, as compared with the irradiated control group. Kojic acid exhibited concentration-dependent scavenging activity on DPPH possessing strong antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Kojic acid with antioxidant activity reduced the mortality induced by gamma irradiation.