Cancer cells have a special energy metabolism that enables them to multiply quickly. Under normal oxygen conditions, the Warburg effect is a distinguishing aspect of cancer metabolism in which anaerobic glycolysis is favored. Enhanced glycolysis also helps to produce nucleotides, amino acids, lipids, and folic acid, all of which are necessary for cancer cell division. In a variety of metabolic processes, including glycolysis, the co-enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) mediates redox reactions. NAD levels that are higher promote glycolysis and supply energy to cancer cells. NAD metabolism, like energy metabolism, is linked in cancer genesis and could be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this research, NAD-consuming enzymes, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and SIRT1, have been investigated in breast cancer patients, in addition to detect the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin K levels. Sixty participants were enrolled in this study, 30 women with breast cancer and 30 controls. Serum were analysed for determination of the levels of PARP1, SIRT1, MDA, SOD, and vitamin K. The results showed a drop in the expression levels of PARP and that was concomitant with the elevation in the expression levels of SIRT1 and MDA, in addition to the drop in SOD and vitamin K levels. These findings suggest that SIRT1 might be the most NAD-consuming enzyme in cancerous cells rather than PARP (the DNA repair enzyme), and this increase in MDA with the drop in SOD and vitamin K might be associated with the increase in cell proliferation and a decrease in apoptotic cell death. Finally, this study could be used as a treatment option for patients with breast cancer. could be used as a treatment option for patients with breast cancer.

Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences University of Al Qadisiyah Al Diwaniyah Iraq