Total Antioxidant Capacity in Women with Cervical Cancer at Jos University Teaching Hospital

Cervical cancer is one of the leading gynaecological malignancies affecting women in Nigeria, and oxidative stress has been increasingly implicated in its pathogenesis. This study evaluates total antioxidant capacity and selected antioxidant markers including glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E in women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria. A case-control design was employed, with 80 cervical cancer patients and 80 age-matched healthy controls recruited. Blood samples were collected prior to any chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment to avoid confounding. Total antioxidant capacity was measured using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Serum malondialdehyde was simultaneously determined as an indicator of oxidative damage. Clinical staging of cervical cancer was documented, and analysis was stratified by stage to evaluate any stage-dependent oxidative stress gradient. Human papillomavirus status was recorded from clinical records. Findings are expected to demonstrate significantly lower total antioxidant capacity and higher lipid peroxidation in cancer patients relative to controls. The study will contribute to the biochemical understanding of cervical cancer in North Central Nigeria. Keywords: total antioxidant capacity, cervical cancer, oxidative stress, glutathione, Jos University Teaching Hospital.