Evaluation of Copper and Zinc in Sera of Iraqi Male Patients with Prostate Cancer in Baghdad City

الملخص

Prostate cancer is an important and potentially fatal disease in humans. Both genetic and environmental risk factors are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among Asian populations. Previous observations have shown that heavy metals play various roles in human health. The heavy metals such as copper and zinc are known to be associated with prostate cancer, but their functions are unclear.
The aim of the present work was to study serum trace elements such as Cu and Zn in Iraqi male patients with prostate cancer. A total of 25 prostate cancer patients was participated in this study from the Al-Kadhimia Teaching Hospital; their age range was (40–65) years and 25 healthy men matched in age as a control group during the period from February 2015 until the August 2015 after the diagnosis using a histopathological examination of the malignant tumor, the blood was centrifuged and serum samples resultant were separated and stored until the assay time.
There was a significant increase in serum copper in prostate cancer patients as compared to the control, (P=0.001) while serum levels of zinc showed no significant differences, (P=0.42). However, there was an elevation in serum zinc levels in prostate cancer patients as compared to the control, but it was not statistically significant. The copper/zinc ratio was increased in prostate cancer patients as compared to the control, but it was not significant, (P=0.42).

This study had shown a significant increase in copper value, no significant difference in zinc value, and higher copper/zinc ratio in malignant prostate. The Cu/ Zn ratio was found to be a better indicator of grade of prostate cancer.