Antioxidants with Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation Attenuates Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy-induced Oxidative Stress in Cancer Patients

Aim: The present study was planned to evaluate the combined effects of antioxidant multivitamin and minerals (AMM) in reducing cancer and cancer therapy-induced oxidative stress. In addition cell viability of human malignant melanoma and normal mouse fibroblast cell lines after treatment with different concentrations of AMM and methotrexate were also estimated. Methods: Amongst the 120 cancer patients recruited for the study, 60 patients each were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, 30 patients each were supplemented with AMM for 30 days. Thirty healthy human volunteers were recruited for comparison. On day 31, blood samples were collected for estimation of oxidative stress markers (MDA and nitrite), endogenous (SOD and GPx) and exogenous (Vitamin C and Vitamin E) antioxidants and essential trace elements (zinc, copper and selenium). In addition, cell viability of human malignant melanoma and normal mouse fibroblast cell lines were estimated after treatment with different concentrations of AMM and methotrexate. Results: Supplementation of AMM during cancer therapy minimized the burden of free reactive radicals and restored the endogenous and exogenous antioxidants and essential trace element levels. In addition, AMM has no cytotoxic effect on normal mouse fibroblast cell lines. But AMM imparts suppression of cell proliferation in human malignant melanoma. Conclusion: Supplementation of antioxidants with multivitamin and mineral during cancer therapy is found to be beneficial as they minimize the burden of free reactive radicals and restores the endogenous and exogenous antioxidants and essential trace element levels.