Speakers - 2026

Title: Effectiveness of vitamin e and molecular hydrogen rich water on radiation therapy induced adverse effect in adult patients with rectal carcinoma in palestine

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer (RC) often induces adverse effects mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. While antioxidants like Vitamin E (Vit E) and molecular hydrogen-rich water (HRW) have shown radioprotective potential, their efficacy in RC patients undergoing RT remains underexplored.

Objective: This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of Vit E and HRW supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in RC patients receiving RT.

Methods: Thirty adult RC patients were allocated to receive either HRW (250 mL of 2 ppm H2, 3 times/day), Vit E (500 IU, 3 times/day), or a placebo for eight weeks alongside standard RT. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers (Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GPX, MDA, 8-OHdG) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, MMP-9) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: After 8 weeks, no significant intergroup differences were observed in most parameters, including Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GPX, MDA, and MMP-9. However, within-group analysis revealed that HRW supplementation led to a significant reduction in the DNA damage marker 8-OHdG (≥25%, p=0.036) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (≈30%, p=0.026). In contrast, Vit E supplementation did not produce any significant changes in the measured biomarkers compared to baseline or placebo.

Conclusion: Although HRW and Vit E did not demonstrate a broad, significant advantage over placebo across a panel of oxidative and inflammatory markers, HRW specifically and significantly reduced levels of 8-OHdG and TNF-α. This suggests that HRW may have targeted benefits in mitigating DNA damage and inflammation, warranting further investigation into its potential as an adjuvant therapy to improve the quality of life during radiotherapy for rectal cancer.