Tumor Tissue Oxidative Stress Changes and Na, K-ATPase Evaluation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Marina Marques Toledo; Bruno De Souza Gonçalves; Natalie Mounteer Colodette; Aline Lauda Freitas Chaves; Luciana Vieira Muniz; Rosy Iara Maciel De A Ribeiro; Hélio Batista Dos Santos; Vanessa F Cortes; Joao Marcos Arantes Soares; Hérica De Lima Santos; Leandro A Barbosa

doi:10.1007/s00232-021-00185-y

Tumor Tissue Oxidative Stress Changes and Na, K-ATPase Evaluation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

J Membr Biol. 2021 Dec;254(5-6):475-486. doi: 10.1007/s00232-021-00185-y. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Affiliations

¹ Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Av Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil.
² Study Group on Head and Neck Cancer, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
³ Laboratório de Patologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratório de Processamento de Tecidos, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
⁵ Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Divinopolis, MG, Brazil.
⁶ Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Av Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil. hlima@ufsj.edu.br.
⁷ Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Av Sebastião Gonçalves Coelho, 400, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil. lbarbosa@ufsj.edu.br.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34104985
DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00185-y

Abstract

Changes in metabolism are mechanisms that are largely implicated in the development, progression, and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and also in resistance to different anticancer therapies. Identification of biomarkers for differentiation between cancerous and normal epithelium, treatment design and prognosis remain a vital issue in the field of head and neck cancer. The present study analyzed the main biochemical changes that occur in HNSCC tumors by through mechanisms involving oxidative stress. The release of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid was significantly lower in HNSCC tumor tissue as compared to healthy tissue. The assays related to the lipid profile assays showed changes in membrane biophysics of tumor cells due to an increase in total phospholipids and total cholesterol, as well as an increased activity and expression of the α1 subunit of Na, K-ATPase, which is fundamental in the process of carcinogenesis. The modulation of the antioxidant system was also affected, with a decrease in the catalytic activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as a reduction of glutathione (GSH) content and an increase in H₂O₂ content. A reduction in catalase (CAT) activity was observed. The data presented here are in accordance with important findings described by us in a previous study, involving the same individuals, but with a focus on the damage generated in red blood cells, resulting from tumor installation. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the biochemical alterations found in HNSCC cells are fundamental for transformation and maintenance of the tumor cell and once it is installed, it is also capable of generating injuries in the patients' red blood cells. Our data demonstrate that this could be a promising biomarker for HNSCC.

Keywords: Biomarker; Head and neck cancer; Lipid peroxidation; Na, K-ATPase; Oxidative stress.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adenosine Triphosphatases
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Humans
Hydrogen Peroxide
Oxidative Stress*
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Substances

Hydrogen Peroxide
Adenosine Triphosphatases