Nutritional and anti-oxidant state in plasma of leukemic patients

Abstract

Deficiency of many vitamins and minerals has been associated with depressed immunity. Good epidemiological evidence on the relationship between nutrition and cancer were reviewed.The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional state of patients with different types of leukemia as indicated by plasma levels of the vitamins A (and its precursor beta-carotenc), E & C, some trace elements (Zn,Cu & Se), albumin & total thiol.For this purpose blood specimens were taken from 105 newly diagnosed leukemic patients. They consisted of 27 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 27 with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 23 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) & 28 with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), only 86 of those patients were followed up, they were 22 with ALL, 21 with AML,, 20 with CLL & 23 with CML.T he results were compared with those obtained from 50 healthy individuals matching in age and sex.The leukemic patients showed a significant reduction in plasma beta-carotene. vitamins (A. E & C), albumin, total thiol, Zn, & Se levels. While plasma Cu & Cu / Zn ratios were significantly elevated. All above-mentioned parameters were normal or near to normal at remission.