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The Comparison between the Contents and Interrelationships of 17 Chemical Elements in Normal and Cancerous Prostate Gland

Vladimir Zaichick*, Sofia Zaichick

Background: Adenocarcinoma of prostate gland is an internationally important health problem of the man, particularly in developed countries. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant changes in the prostatic tissue levels of chemical elements and their interrelationships exist in the malignantly transformed prostate.

Methods: Prostatic tissue levels of Al, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si, Sr and Zn contents were prospectively evaluated in 36 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma (aged 40 to 79 years, stage T1-T4, EuropeanCaucasian, citizens of Moscow and Obninsk) and 37 apparently healthy male inhabitants of Moscow (aged 41 to 87 years, European-Caucasian). Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, respectively. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for chemical element analysis. The reliability of difference in the results between normal and cancerous prostate tissues was evaluated by Student’s t-test.

Results: Mean values ± standard error of means for mass fraction (mg/kg on dry mass basis) of chemical element in the prostate adenocarcinoma were: Al 353 ± 96, B 16.4 ± 5.6, Ba 29.5 ± 10.1, Br 95.5 ± 10.8, Ca 676 ± 63, Cu 18.8 ± 3.2, Fe 176 ± 20, K 8992 ± 717, Li 0.293 ± 0.077, Mg 355 ± 80, Mn 7.24 ± 2.04, Na 7784 ± 928, P 6847 ± 717, S 5230 ± 576, Si 337 ± 41, Sr 5.56 ± 0.84 and Zn 127 ± 12, respectively. The contents of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Si and Sr were significantly higher while those of Ca, K, Mg, Na, S and Zn were significantly lower in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues. Moreover, it was shown that malignant transformation significantly changed the interrelationships of chemical elements in prostate.

Conclusion: In adenocarcinoma transformed prostate tissue the chemical element metabolism is significantly disturbed.