# Estimation of Serum C-reactive Protein, Nitric Oxide, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Reductase, and Glutathione Peroxidase Level in Lung Cancer

**Authors:** Sushant S Dhanavade, Karan Pujari

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.100448 · 2025-12-30

## TL;DR

This study compares inflammatory and antioxidant markers in lung cancer patients and healthy individuals to understand oxidative stress in the disease.

## Contribution

The study identifies altered serum levels of CRP, NO, SOD, GR, and GPx in lung cancer patients, highlighting oxidative stress.

## Key findings

- Lung cancer patients had significantly higher CRP and NO levels compared to controls.
- SOD, GR, and GPx activities were significantly reduced in lung cancer patients.
- No significant correlations were found between inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers.

## Abstract

Background

Oxidative stress and systemic inflammation play critical roles in lung cancer progression. Biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and key antioxidant enzymes, may contribute to understanding the disease mechanism.

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate serum levels of CRP, NO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in lung cancer patients compared with healthy controls.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted involving 50 lung cancer patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum CRP, NO, SOD, GR, and GPx levels were analyzed using standard biochemical methods, including turbidimetric immunoassay and spectrophotometric techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Significantly increased serum CRP and NO levels and significantly reduced SOD, GR, and GPx enzyme activities were observed among lung cancer patients compared with controls (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were identified between inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers.

Conclusion

The imbalance between elevated inflammatory markers and reduced antioxidant defense suggests enhanced oxidative stress in lung cancer patients. These biomarkers may support clinical assessment and disease monitoring.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** GR (glutathione reductase), GPX2 (glutathione peroxidase 2)
- **Diseases:** lung cancer (MONDO:0005138)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** GSR (glutathione-disulfide reductase) [NCBI Gene 2936] {aka CNSHA10, GR, GSRD, HEL-75, HEL-S-122m}, SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) [NCBI Gene 6647] {aka ALS, ALS1, HEL-S-44, IPOA, SOD, STAHP}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}
- **Diseases:** inflammation (MESH:D007249), Lung Cancer (MESH:D008175)
- **Chemicals:** NO (MESH:D009569)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12860581