engleski

Trace element concentration in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers diagnosed in men in developed countries. The imbalance between toxic and essential elements and mechanisms of antioxidant defence in the organism can lead to increased sensitivity and contribute to the development of this disease. Data concerning the levels of trace elements and antioxidant system parameters in men with prostate cancer are limited as their results are conflicting. In this study we determined the concentration of several toxic and/or essential trace elements and the activity of antioxidative enzymes copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood obtained from 53 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and from 53 healthy volunteers. In subjects with newly diagnosed prostate cancer we found significantly higher concentration of lead, mercury and molybdenum in blood and serum, arsenic and chromium in serum and copper and iron in blood, as well as significantly higher activity of Cu, Zn-SOD and GSH-Px. Subjects with prostate cancer had significantly lower concentration of serum zinc, blood manganese, and cobalt in both serum and whole blood compared to healthy volunteers. Elevated levels of toxic elements (such as lead, mercury and arsenic) measured in patients with prostate cancer suggest that even low exposure to these elements may present a risk for the development of cancer, probably via formation of reactive oxygen species and/or reducing the bioavailability of zinc. The increased enzymatic activity is most likely the result of the cell response to oxidative mechanisms involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer.

Essential elements; Oxidative stress; Prostate cancer; Toxic elements

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