Serum levels of trace elements in patients with prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic.


METHODS
In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey E-mail : mehmetkaba@yahoo.com.
Mehmet
M
Kaba
Necip
N
Pirincci
Mehmet Bilgehan
MB
Yuksel
Ilhan
I
Gecit
Mustafa
M
Gunes
Huseyin
H
Ozveren
Huseyin
H
Eren
Halit
H
Demir
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014131:Trace Elements