Comparison of Trace Elements in the Scalp Hair of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions Versus Healthy Women

Abstract

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 microg/g), followed by Na (655 microg/g), Mg (478 microg/g), Zn (391 microg/g), Sr (152 microg/g), Fe (114 microg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 microg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 microg/g), Zn (206 microg/g), Mg (162 microg/g), Fe (129 microg/g), and Na (82.1 microg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.

Plasma micronutrients, trace elements, and breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers: an exploratory study

“…One small case-control study (n = 52 cases and 52 controls) reported statistically higher levels of antimony in hair of stage III breast cancer patients compared with healthy controls [43]. In a different case-control study including women with malignant breast cancer (n = 33), benign breast disease (n = 36), and healthy controls (n = 35), Sb levels were higher in the scalp hair of the benign group, and malignant group compared with the controls; however, levels were considerably higher in women with benign lesions [35]. Interestingly, Choe et al [44] were the first to suggest that along with other major heavy metals, Sb exhibits estrogenic activity and may function as an environmental endocrine disrupter influencing carcinogenesis.…”

“…In contrast, we reported a significant inverse relationship between circulating iron levels and breast cancer risk among BRCA1 mutation carriers. Notably, Pasha et al [35] reported significantly higher iron levels in the scalp of healthy controls compared with women with malignant breast cancer or benign breast disease. Quantifying levels of heavy metal in hair samples have been suggested to accurately reflect long-term exposure [36,37].…”

Multivariate Analysis of Trace Elements Distribution in Hair of Pleural Plaques Patients and Health Group in a Rural Area from China

“…Mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn are significantly higher in the hair of benign tumour patients than normal donors. The results of correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis evidenced significantly different patterns of metal distribution in hair of benign tumour patients in comparison with normal donors [17,21]. In human serum, a significant difference in concentrations of all metals between breast cancer patients and controls are observed [34].…”

“…Therefore, trace element in human hair has been considered as a tool for routine clinical screening and diagnosis of many diseases [13]. In recent years, many investigations have been conducted to determined contents of trace elements in hair of patients, such as malignant and benign breast lesions, autism, obesity and diabetes, myocardial infarction patients, benign tumor patients, hypertensive patients, gastrointestinal cancer patients, prostate cancer patients, cerebral palsy patients, respiratory system diseases patients [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Determination of Select Trace Elements in Hair of College Students in Jinzhou, China

“…Recently, the hair was chosen as a sample to study the trace elements in the human body by some researchers because the hair was obtained easier, and the trace elements were accumulated in it. In the previous works, they have researched the pollution accumulation in the environment [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], the environmental effects on human health [9][10][11], trace elements effects on human health [12][13][14][15][16], and the objects and results were different for the different research. Jinzhou is located at the southwest of Liaoning province in China.…”