Medicina Nuclear e Radioterapia

Influence of Beta Vulgaris Supplementation on the Level of Oxidative DNA Damage/Oxidative Stress in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Abstract

Krzysztof Roszkowski

Because of the many controversies concerning the consumption of antioxidants during the treatment of cancer, herein we decided to ascertain whether the supplementation of Beta vulgaris (strong antioxidant) in irradiated head and neck cancer patients would influence parameters which describe oxidative stress/DNA damage and the clinical effects of therapy. Forty one patients with head and neck cancer (T3-4 N1 M0) were divided into two subgroups: I/supplementation chips from beetroot (n=19) and II/control group (n=22). All the patients were eligible for radiotherapy; acute reactions were measured using the Dische scale. Total survival times were assessed together with oxidative DNA damage on the level of the whole organism and whether the biomarkers of the damage such as 8-oxo-dG and its modified base (8-oxo-Gua) were present in urine and DNA. Results of the present work suggest that with irradiated patients supplementation of Beta vulgaris does not worsen survival times, intensification of acute radiation reactions is reduced, and the level markers of oxidative stress/DNA damage are also not influenced. Results also suggest that supplementation of Beta vulgaris in irradiated patients is the safe method for assisting therapy.