Micronutrients, antioxidants, and carcinoma of the gallbladder.
OBJECTIVE
Nutrient deficiency in developing countries can be considered a significant contributory factor modifying the multistage process of carcinogenesis. Studies from different parts of the world have shown the deficiency of various micronutrients to be significantly associated with cancer. This study was undertaken to test the above hypothesis in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder.


METHODS
Selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were estimated in the serum, bile, and gallbladder tissue of 30 patients each of carcinoma of the gallbladder (group-I), cholelithiasis (group-II), and only in the serum of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (group-III). The minerals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and vitamins by spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
The mean serum levels of Se, Zn, Mn, vitamin E, and vitamin C were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group-I when compared with groups II and III. The mean biliary levels of Se and Zn (0.29, 3.45 mg/L) were reduced significantly (P < 0.001) in group-I when compared with group II (0.51, 5.2 mg/L). Mean tissue levels of Se and Zn were also significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group I (2.75, 43.09 microg/g) compared to group II (3.90, 61.37 microg/g). However, no significant difference was observed in tissue concentration of Mn, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Cu levels and Cu/Zn ratio showed a highly significant (P < 0.001) increase in serum, bile, and gallbladder tissue in carcinoma of the gallbladder compared to the other two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The data supports an association between lower levels of Se, Zn, vitamin E, and risk of carcinoma of the gallbladder and suggest that Cu/Zn ratio could be a useful parameter in evaluating the patients of carcinoma of the gallbladder.
Shukla
Vijay Kumar
VK
Department of Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. vkshuklabhu@satyam.net.in
Adukia
Tarun Kumar
TK
Singh
Sureshwer Prasad
SP
Mishra
Chandra Pati
CP
Mishra
Ravindra Nath
RN
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000737:chemistry; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D018977:Micronutrients; D014810:Vitamin E; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid