ABSTRACT

Background:

Since oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet exposure has been shown to cause development of cutaneous cancers, solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is considered to be a major etiological factor for non-melanoma skin tumors (NMSTs). We aimed to compare the oxidative stress parameters between patients with NMST and healthy individuals.

Material and Methods:

A total of 28 patients with clinically and histologically proven NMSTs (24 basal cell carcinoma, 4 squamous cell carcinoma) and 33 control subjects who were matched for age and gender were included in the study. Serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARE), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels of the participants were measured. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was determined.

Results:

The TAS and ARE levels of patients with NMSTs were statistically lower than control subjects (P=0.005 and P<0.032, respectively). The TOS levels and OSI values were statistically higher in patients than healthy controls (P=0.005 and P<0.001, respectively). Patient and control groups were similar with regard to PON, HDL, LDL, TG, and total cholesterol levels (all P>0.05).

Conclusion:

An increased systemic OS is determined in patients with NMSTs. Altered oxidant/antioxidant balance may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of NMSTs.