A study of oxidative stress in leukaemia

Abstract

Free radicals produce persistent oxidative stress in biological system. Free radicals result in lipid peroxidation by attacking nucleic acids, proteins and membrane lipids. Lipid hydroperoxides decompose to form a variety of products including malondialdehyde (MOA) which is a stable product of lipid peroxidation. To determine the presence of oxidative stress in leukaemic patients, 56 proven cases of leukaemia of different category were taken and the results were compared with ten age and sex matched healthy individuals. The mean MDA levels were significantly raised in all the patients belonging to all the groups of leukaemia at the time of diagnosis. Total leucocyte count in all the patients was also raised. The observed values indicate the significant role of free radicals in the aetiopathogenesis of leukaemia. The degree of lipid peroxidation in these patients can be used a marker of the disease activity.