Comparative Study of Biochemical and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy/radiotherapy in Ibadan

A comparative study of BCA patients on chemotherapy/radiotherapy and immune booster supplements (combination of essential vitamins and minerals) with apparently healthy controls was investigated by assessing the lipid profile, hepatic transaminases (plasma AST, ALT) total bilurubin, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma vitamins C and E respectively. There was no significant difference (p0.05) in total cholesterol, but we observed a significant increase in triglyceride level in BCA patients compared to control. Protein concentration decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients, compared to control. SOD and vitamin C levels were not significantly different while vitamin E decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. Lipid peroxidation increased (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. We observed an increase in AST, a decrease in ALT and total proteins in BCA patients that were significant and a non-significant decrease in the bilirubin level when compared with control.The results support the fact that BCA patients on chemotherapy have altered dietary intake and the enhanced metabolism of lipids and proteins may increased oxidative stress