Comparison of trace element concentrations in cancerous and noncancerous human endometrial and ovary tissues

Abstract

Question of whether trace metal concentrations in tissues are increased or decreased in cancerous patients in comparison with noncancerous patients has not been answered yet, due to the fact that the data known in this field are rare and have contradictory results. Although Zn and Cu concentrations in serum and tissues of cancerous patients have extensively been studied, the precise role of these metals in carcinogenesis is not clearly understood. There are few studies on the concentrations of essential and toxic trace/minor metals in human tissue samples in comparison with serum and plasma samples. Trace metal concentrations including Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, and Ni in both cancerous and noncancerous endometrial, ovary, and cervix uteri tissues were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The tissue samples were digested by using microwave energy. Slotted tube atom trap was used to improve the sensitivity of copper and cadmium in flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination. The concentrations of iron in cancerous endometrial tissues were found to be significantly higher than those in noncancerous samples (P < 0.01). On the contrary Fe, Zn concentration in cancerous endometrial tissue was found to be lower significantly than those in noncancerous samples (P= 0.005), whereas the other studied metals were not observed different. Furthermore, Cu and Ca concentrations in cancerous ovary samples were observed to be higher than those in noncancerous ovary tissues (P < 0.01 for Cu and P= 0.1 for Ca), whereas Mg, Fe, and Zn levels in cancerous ovary samples were not found to be different than those in noncancerous tissues.

Serum Levels of Trace Elements in Patients with Prostate Cancer

“…Zinc has a protective effect against free-radical injury (Wu et al, 2004). In previous studies, it has been reported that serum Zn concentrations were decreased in patients with ovarian, cervical, bladder and renal cancer (Cunzhi et al, 2003;Yaman et al, 2007;Pirincci et al, 2013). It is known that Zn concentration is significantly higher in prostate gland when compared to other tissues in human body (Costello et al, 1998).…”

Plasma Concentrations of Some Trace Element and Heavy Metals in Patients with Metastatic Colon Cancer

“…Animal studies have shown that the administration of Zn may slow the progression of induced tumours and studies in humans also show that administration of Zn and other micronutrients may have therapeutic effects in patients with oral precancerous lesions [29]. Low serum Zn concentrations detected in some cancer such as esophageal carcinoma, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer [30,31]. By contrast, high serum level of Zn was detected in liver cancer [32].…”

Catalase Activity, Serum Trace Element and Heavy Metal Concentrations, and Vitamin A, D and E Levels in Pre-Eclampsia

“…10,11 Studies on the roles of trace elements in health and disease over the past 50 years have led to a good understanding of their mode of action and why they are essential for life. 12 Ceruloplasmin, which is a copper (Cu)-containing globulin, is an effective antioxidant, because of its ability to oxidize highly toxic ferrous iron (Fe) to the relatively non-toxic ferric form and, thus, help prevent oxidative damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. 13 Furthermore, it is thought that transferrin, the major Fe-transporting protein in plasma, has an antioxidant function.…”