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Lipid peroxidation may be involved in cancer and essential nutrients that can scavenge free radicals, such as vitamins E and C, operate in concert. Levels of antioxidant vitamins E and C were estimated in 50 patients with oral cancer and 24 healthy persons served as control. Significantly lower levels of vitamins E and C were observed in oral cancer patients as compared to controls (P < 0.011). Antioxidant nutrients may be utilized to a greater extent in oral cancer patients to counteract free radical-mediated cell disturbances, resulting in a reduction in salivary antioxidant levels.

Thirty patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were selected for the study. 15 age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Serum malonaldehyde, total glutathione, and vitamin E levels were estimated before and after glycemic control and after 4 weeks of vitamin E supplementation. Both total glutathione and vitamin E levels increased after glycemic control and showed an increase after vitamin E supplementation. Malonaldehyde levels lowered after glycemic control, but remained higher than controls. Since vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress in the present study, it may play a role in reducing free-radical-induced oxidant injury in diabetes mellitus.Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]