Parameters of immune and antioxidative systems can be considered as surgical stress markers for gastric cancer patients

Milasiene Vida¹, Surinenaite Birute¹*, Prasmickiene Grazina¹, Didziapetriene Janina^1,3 and Stratilatovas Eugenijus²

¹Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Scientific Research Center, Baublio Str 3B LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania.

²Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Clinic of Surgery, Santariskiu Str., 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.

³Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Ciurlionio Str. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Birute.Surinenaite@vuoi.lt. 

Accepted 05 May, 2009

   Abstract

Cytokines, haematological indices, lipid peroxidation product and antioxidative system parameters were investigated for surgically treated and red blood cells transfused stages 3 and 4 gastric cancer patients. Serum of 58 patients was analysed at pre-surgical and post-surgical periods (after 7 and 14 days). TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha were tested by ELISA. Haematological indices were analyzed by standard methods. Malondialdehyde level and antioxidative system parameters were analysed by specified methods spectrophotometrically. Level of TGF-beta1 increased and lymphocyte index decreased after surgery and the transfusion for both stages cancer patients. Level of malondialdehyde decreased at early post-surgical period for non-transfused both stages cancer patients while the parameter decreased only at late post-surgical period for transfused patients. Total glutathione concentration decreased during post-surgical period only for transfused stage 3 cancer patients. Pearson correlations were determined between cytokine and malondialdehyde levels and between cytokine levels and activities of catalase and glutathione S-transferase at early post-surgical period. Decreased lymphocyte count, increased TGF-beta1 level and lower total glutathione concentration after surgery were related to red blood cells transfusion. Malondialdehyde level was not significantly influenced by gastric cancer stage while it was also affected by the transfusion. All altered parameters mentioned showed the additional transfusion-dependant stress to develop surgical stress. The parameters can be considered as possible surgical stress markers.

Key words: Cytokines, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative system, surgical treatment, RBC transfusion.