Comparative Trace Elemental Analysis in Cancerous and Noncancerous Human Tissues Using PIXE

Abstract

The effect of high or low levels of trace metals in human tissues has been studied widely. There have been detectable significant variations in the concentrations of trace metals in normal and cancerous tissues suggesting that these variations could be a causative factor to various cancers. Even though essential trace metals play an important role such as stabilizers, enzyme cofactors, elements of structure, and essential elements for normal hormonal functions, their imbalanced toxic effects contribute to the rate of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of complexities in the body cells which may lead to DNA damage. The induction of oxidative-induced DNA damage by ROS may lead to isolated base lesions or single-strand breaks, complex lesions like double-strand breaks, and some oxidative generated clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs) which are linked to cell apoptosis and mutagenesis. The difference in published works on the level of variations of trace metals in different cancer tissues can be attributed to the accuracy of the analytical techniques, sample preparation methods, and inability of taking uniform samples from the affected tissues. This paper reviews comparative trace elemental concentrations of cancerous and noncancerous tissues using PIXE that has been reported in the published literature.

Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antiapoptotic Activities of Micromelum minutum Seeds in Diabetic Rats

“…On the other side, the treated with Micromelum minutum seeds extract and its coumarin ingredient to diabetic rats increased p53 expression while decreased bcl-2 expression. These results were in agreement with that of Mulware [47] who reported that diabetes cause induction of oxidative-induced DNA damage by ROS may lead to isolated base lesions or single-strand breaks, complex lesions like double-strand breaks, and some oxidative generated clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs) which are linked to cell apoptosis and mutagenesis. On the other side, coumarin has anti-apoptotic activity, an inhibitor of p53 abrogated glucolipotoxicity-induced ROS generation and p53 expression [48].…”

Copper and conquer: copper complexes of di-2-pyridylketone thiosemicarbazones as novel anti-cancer therapeutics

“…69 Moreover, high copper levels are considered carcinogenic, and are suspected to encourage tumour progression through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS; for an in-depth review see 70 ). [71][72][73][74] [71][72][73][74] …”

D-penicillamine combined with inhibitors of hydroperoxide metabolism enhances lung and breast cancer cell responses to radiation and carboplatin via H 2 O 2 -mediated oxidative stress

“…Cancer cells appear to demonstrate both increased steady state levels of ROS (O 2 •- and H 2 O 2 ) and abnormal metabolism of transition metals when compared to normal cells [4, 35]. It has been shown that free and bound copper and iron concentrations are higher in breast compared to the normal surrounding tissue [9, 10, 36]. These metal ions participate in many critical biological functions however the same properties that allow for the gain or loss of electrons also results in cytotoxicity through the donation of electrons to oxygen, leading to the generation of highly toxic hydroxyl radicals and other ROS.…”

“…For example, breast and lung cancer patients contain elevated serum copper levels when compared to cancer-free patients [8]. Breast and lung tumors also contain markedly increased copper when compared to their matched normal tissue [9-11]. Labile iron concentrations are also increased in both serum and tumor tissue from cancer patients [12].…”