Evaluation of oxidative status in the colorectal cancer population living in the west of Algeria

Introduction
Production of reactive species is a physiological phenomenon that participates in normal biological reactions; the imbalance between this production and the defence of antioxidant molecules is called oxidative stress and is incriminated in the aetiology of several pathologies such as cancer.

Material and methods
We evaluate the oxidative status by measuring the level of radical attack molecules resulting from lipid and protein oxidation (malondialdehyde and carbonyls) and antioxidant markers by measuring the thiols level and the activity of two enzymes implicated in the antioxidant processes; catalase (CAT EC 1.11.1.6) and superoxide dismutase (SOD EC 1.15.1.1).

Results
Our study reveals a significant increase in radical attack marker levels (p < 0.001) against a significant decrease of superoxide dismutase activity and thiol levels (p ≤ 0.001), whereas a non-significant variation was noted in catalase activity (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
The data obtained clearly show the presence of oxidative stress in our population.