Serum Antioxidant Status and Some Selected Trace Metal Levels in Patients with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm in Benin City, Nigeria

Antioxidants are important in the detoxification of free radicals, which are the hazardous derivatives of metabolic processes in the body. However, the mop up of free radicals in the prevention and management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm is not clear. This study presented an assessment of the status of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and some trace metals (Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn) in women diagnosed with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm (CIN) lesions. The study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City and Department of Chemical Pathology, Edo University Iyamho, Edo state Nigeria. Study participants were grouped into two; those with CIN lesions (n = 144) and the control (n = 53). Venous blood was obtained from participants and serum antioxidant levels were determined using standardized laboratory methods. Results showed that CAT levels increased significantly from 23.88 u/µl/min in the control group to 31.79 u/µl/min in CIN. The incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm lesions did not significantly affect total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the study population (2.43 - 2.70 mM, P>0.05). There were minimal increases in antioxidant status between the control and CIN groups respectively (P> 0.05). Cu was implicated as the only trace metal within the CIN group without significant correlation to the antioxidants investigated.