INAA of trace elements in colorectal cancer patients

Abstract

The concentration of trace elements in samples of both colorectal cancer tumors and normal tissues of a Mexican population were irradiated for 30 s and 4 h and their elemental content were measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Ca, Cu, Co, I, Mg, Se, Fe, Zn, Hg, Ba, and Cr were analyzed. Alterations in Co, Fe, I, and Ba were found in tumors with respect to normal tissues.

Determination of 30 elements in colorectal biopsies by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: method development and preliminary baseline levels

“…Only the data obtained by Martin Mateo and Martín4 were collected from subjects not affected by tumours. However, Al, Cd, Fe and Se biopsy concentrations agreed with those previously reported,5, 11, 12 and Ba, Co and Pb were of the same order of magnitude as previously reported data 11, 12. In contrast, the levels of Cu, Mg, Mn and Zn were generally higher than in earlier studies 3, 4, 6, 10, 11.…”

“…However, Al, Cd, Fe and Se biopsy concentrations agreed with those previously reported,5, 11, 12 and Ba, Co and Pb were of the same order of magnitude as previously reported data 11, 12. In contrast, the levels of Cu, Mg, Mn and Zn were generally higher than in earlier studies 3, 4, 6, 10, 11. For Ca and Ni, the colon concentrations overlapped those observed in two previous studies,5, 12 but were much higher than those reported elsewhere 8, 10.…”

“…For Ca and Ni, the colon concentrations overlapped those observed in two previous studies,5, 12 but were much higher than those reported elsewhere 8, 10. The Cr concentrations were the same as those of Arriola et al 11. and Mulay et al .,12 but differed considerably from those of Martin Mateo and Martin4 and Raithel et al 8…”

“…In general, studies on elemental concentration involved only one (e.g., Se or Mg)1, 2 or a few analytes such as Cu, Cd, Cr, Se, Ni and Zn 3–9. Information about other elements such as Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Hg, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Fe is rather sparse 10–12. An imbalance in the normal homeostasis of essential elements and tissue accumulation of potential toxic metals might, however, be associated with the risk of developing diseases such as colorectal cancer 13–17…”

“…Different analytical methods have been used for the elemental analysis of tissues: neutron activation analysis, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, etc 11, 19, 20. As a rule, these techniques have high detection limits, require large sample amounts and have to analyze each element separately in a time‐consuming process.…”