Volume 59 (2009) Issue: 2009 No#4

Changes in the oxidative status and serum trace element levels in dogs with mammary tumours

Author(s): Askar TK, Salmanoglu B, Salmanoglu R, Erkal N, Beskaya A

Keywords:dog, mammary tumour, oxidative stress, trace elements

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the changes in oxidative status and serum trace element levels by determining the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), ascorbic acid, and certain trace elements. The study included 15 clinically healthy female dogs and 15 dogs with malignant mammary tumour. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of the patient dogs just before the surgical treatment. The patients exhibited a significant increase in MDA (P<0.001), NO (P<0.001), Fe (P<0.001), and Cu (P<0.01) levels and a significant decrease in levels of ascorbic acid (P<0.001) and Zn (P<0.01). A strong correlation was observed in the patient group for ascorbic acid and Fe (r=-0.87) concentration, but there was a weak correlation between ascorbic acid and Cu (r=-0.69), and Zn (r=0.49) concentrations. Also there was a strong correlation between Zn and MDA (r=-0.84) concentrations, indicating oxidative stress. The results suggest that ROS generated by trace elements, like Fe and Cu may cause the mammary tumours.