Correlation of concentrations of selected trace elements with Gleason grade of prostate tissues

Abstract

The causes of prostate cancer are still obscure but some evidence indicates that there is a close connection between several trace elements and processes which may lead to malignant cells. In our study the microbeam synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence emission (micro-SRIXE) technique was applied for quantitative analysis of selected elements. For the first time, we correlate the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn with the clinical stage of the prostate cancer at the time of operation (described by Gleason grade). Serial sections of prostate tissues were collected from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. One section, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, was prepared for histopathological analysis; a second, adjacent unstained section was used in micro-SRIXE experiments. All experiments were performed at beamline L at HASYLAB, DESY, Germany. Our results seem to be valuable in light of the determination of the changes in the concentrations of trace elements as a potential diagnostic marker and their etiological involvement in the different stages of prostate diseases.

Serum Levels of Trace Elements in Patients with Prostate Cancer

“…Decreased serum Mn concentrations were reported in patients with bladder and renal cancers Pirincci et al;. It was shown that decreased Mn is potentially associated with decreased activity of superoxide dismutase in advanced stages of cancer (Gleason grade 3 or 4) when compared to group with Gleason 2 grade disease (Banas et al, 2010). In our study, we think that significant decrease in Mn levels compared controls is due to the fact that majority of the patients included had advanced disease.…”

“…Thus, toxicity/duality contradiction in trace elements leads the biological system to develop ability to recognize and deliver metal compounds to its target without enabling them to involve in toxic reactions Sayır et al, 2011). It has been proven that some trace elements have major role in cancer biology; however, there is still a gap in our understanding regarding relationship between trace elements functions and initiation, advancement and inhibition of carcinogenic process in prostatic gland (Geraki et al, 2002;Naga Raju et al, 2006;Guntupalli et al, 2007;Banas et al, 2010). Thus, there is a need for trace element analysis in human tissues with or without cancer that can show relationship between cancer and these elements.…”

Status and Interrelationship of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Calcium and Selenium in Prostate Cancer

“…By contrast, isolated studies have reported a significantly higher tissue level of zinc in PCa as compared to BPH [12] and normal prostatic tissue [27] or an insignificantly lower level of zinc level in PCa as compared to normal prostatic tissue [28]. There are conflicting reports about tissue zinc levels in BPH as well; some found a decrease [17] while others an increase [13] or no change [18,26] as compared to normal prostatic tissue.…”

Association between Trace Element and Heavy Metal Levels in Hair and Nail with Prostate Cancer

“…Copper plays an important role in the carcinogenic process that may be also linked with its ability to bind to some proteins and thus to acquire the angiogenic activity. On the other hand, copper mediates the involvement of cellular proliferation via the activation of angiogenic growth factors (Banas et al, 2010). Additionally, because copper is expected to initiate angiogenesis, elevated concentration of this element is likely to promote prostate cancer by increasing the blood supply for tumour growth.…”