Evaluation of markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress in the blood of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are tumors arising from cells of the endocrine and nervous systems, found in various organs. Both nitrotyrosine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have significant effects on carcinogenesis, inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress and changes in proteins, lipids, and DNA. This study aimed to assess nitrotyrosine and ADMA levels in NEN patients based on tumor location, potentially improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Participants were divided into two subgroups, each with 10 patients. The first subgroup had pancreatic NENs (P-NENs), and the second had lung NENs (L-NENs). Venous blood samples were collected and processed to obtain blood serum. Nitrotyrosine and ADMA levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. Results are presented as mean values with ± standard error of the mean (SEM). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In the P-NEN group, nitrotyrosine averaged 495.888 ± 105.538 nmol/L, while the L-NEN group had levels of 561.587 ± 158.929 nmol/L. The ADMA concentration was 0.378 ± 0.027 µmol/L in the P-NEN patients and 0.346 ± 0.013 µmol/L in the L-NEN group. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups for both analytes. Based on current findings, tumor location does not significantly impact nitrotyrosineand ADMA levels in NEN patients. Further research with larger, diverse samples may offer valuable insights into their relationship, potentially enhancing NEN diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.