Status of oxidative stress in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Although oxidative stress is implicated in renal cell carcinoma pathogenesis, to our knowledge changes in oxidative stress parameters in patients who undergo surgery for renal cell carcinoma have not been studied previously. We investigated the status of oxidative stress in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and glutathione were measured in the blood of 68 patients with renal tumor and in 30 age matched normal controls. Levels were measured again 1 week, and 1 and 2 months postoperatively in patients who underwent surgery for renal cell carcinoma. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation were measured in tumor tissue and in normal renal parenchyma in 51 patients with renal tumor.

Significantly increased reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, and decreased glutathione were observed in patients with renal cell carcinoma compared to normal subjects and in patients with benign tumors. Superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation were increased and catalase was decreased in tumor tissue compared to normal renal tissue. Oxidative stress correlated with renal cell carcinoma grade and stage but decreased after curative resection. Patients with metastatic disease had persistently increased oxidative stress parameters. Antioxidant enzyme levels in benign tumor tissue were significantly higher than in renal cell carcinoma.

Patients with renal cell carcinoma have increased oxidative stress, which is effectively alleviated by curative resection. In patients with benign tumors antioxidant defense mechanisms maintain normal redox status.