Introduction. Cancer treatments are now intense and are associated with nutritional deficiencies. The nutritional status of a patient may influence the tolerability of chemotherapy. Aim. We investigated the effects of chemotherapy on serum levels of trace elements (copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc) and vitamins (A, C, and E) in patients with mature lymphoid malignancies (MLMs) at diagnosis and after 3 months. Material and methods. A case-control study of adults diagnosed with and treated for various MLMs. Thirty-nine cases and 39 age and sex-matched controls were recruited into this study. Venous blood samples were collected from the controls, cases at baseline and after 3 months of chemotherapy. Trace elements were determined by AAS while vitamins were determined by HPLC. Results. The levels of trace elements and antioxidant vitamins A and E were significantly higher (p<0.001) in cases than in controls while vitamin C was lower in cases compared to controls (p=0.005). After 3 months of treatment, 28 patients were available for analysis. There was a significant decline (p<0.001) in all the levels of trace elements and vitamins after chemotherapy. Conclusion. Chemotherapy is associated with a significant reduction in antioxidants levels in patients with MLMs.
Introduction. Reports continue to show that a significant association exists between serum vitamin D level and metabolic syndrome (MS)-associated inflammation. However, information on the serum levels of vitamin D and alterations in inflammation in different vitamin D status is presently lacking. Aim. To determine the serum levels of vitamin D and TNF-α, and assess their possible relationship with gender in individuals with MS. Material and methods. Sixty adults with MS and 40 controls were enrolled into this case-control study. Serum vitamin D and TNF-α levels were measured and participants stratified into different vitamin D status. Results. None of the participants had vitamin D deficiency and the mean vitamin D level was similar in MS compared with the controls. However, TNF-α level was significantly higher in MS compared with the controls. Serum vitamin D level had significant inverse correlation with serum TNF-α level in MS. Also vitamin D level was significantly lower while TNF-α level was significantly higher in female-MS compared with the male-MS. Conclusion. Adults with MS have elevated TNF-α level which appears to be associated with the serum level of vitamin D. Also, females with MS have low vitamin D level and this may exacerbate the MS-associated inflammation in them.
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