Thiol-Disulphide Balance: Could Be a New Marker for Thyroid Cancer?

Abstract

Objectives . Cancer is a very widespread disorder known in world wide since long, but its biochemical features remain unclear. Thyroid carcinomas are the most common endocrine cancer and its frequency continues to escalate. There is evidence that the serum concentration of TSH is an unreliant predictor for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The formation of the plasma thiol pool from low and large molecular weight proteins suggests that thiol/disulfide balance is important in cancerous cases. The aim of this study was to investigate an oxidative stress marker (thiol/disulphide homeostasis) and IMA (Ischemia modified albumin), Albumin, CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen), TSH (Thyroid stimulate hormone), thyroxine (T 4 ), free thyroxine (FT 4 ), triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and free triiodothyronine (FT 3 ) in patients with thyroid cancer and compare the results with healthy controls for the first time in literature. Materials-Methods: A total of 43 participants including 23 patients with thyroid cancer and 20 healthy individuals were included in the study. Serum levels of TSH, T 4 , FT 4 , T 3 and FT 3 have been measured during treatment and follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinoma. Serum levels of TSH, T 4 , FT 4 , T 3 and FT 3 , IMA, Albumin, CEA, Native thiol (-SH), disulfide (-S-S) and total thiol (TT) as well as disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were compared between the groups. Native thiol, disulfide and total thiol concentrations were measured with a novel automated method (Roche, cobas 501, Mannheim, Germany). Results and conclusion: This paper discusses an oxidative stress marker (thiol/disulphide homeostasis) and tumor markers IMA, Albumin, CEA, TSH, T 4 , FT 4 , T 3 and FT 3 in patients with thyroid cancer and compare the results with healthy controls. Mean age at participant was 41.73 years for thyroid cancer patients (21 female s /2 male s ). A control group of 20 participant s was included the study (19 female s /1 male, mean age 51.75).