Effects of selenium and low levels of lead on mammary tumor development and growth in MMTV-infected female mice

Preoperative Serum Selenium Concentrations and Disease-Specific Survival in Patients With Oral Cancer: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND

Serum selenium (Se) concentration has been reported to be associated with the incidence of oral cancer. The association between serum Se and long-term survival in oral cancer patients is still unclear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to measure the association between serum Se and disease-specific survival (DSS).

STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND SAMPLE

This was a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (Fujian Province, China) from September 2011 to December 2018. The inclusion criteria were patients with newly diagnosed primary oral cancer confirmed by histology. The exclusion criteria were patients with recurrent oral cancer or metastatic cancer.

PREDICTOR VARIABLE

The predictor variable is the preoperative serum Se concentration measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE(S)

The primary outcome variable is DSS calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of death due to oral cancer or the end of follow-up, whichever occurred first.

COVARIATES

The covariates were age, sex, occupation, education level, body mass index, surgery therapy, adjuvant therapy, tumor node metastasis stage, and pathological grading.

ANALYSES

Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression, and restricted cubic spline regression were utilized. P value < .05 was significant.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of 235 subjects with a median age of 59 years (ranged from 20 to 80 years) and 142 (60.43%) were male. The median follow-up was 54.90 months (interquartile range: 35.47). Se levels were associated with DSS (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54-0.91) suggesting that higher levels of Se are associated with longer or improved DSS. After adjustment of age, sex, occupation, education level, residence, tumor node metastasis stage, pathological grading, surgery therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, patients with higher serum Se had a better DSS (aHR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49-0.92). Of note, we found that the association between serum Se and DSS was observed only in patients with radiotherapy (aHR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.33-0.73). And the protective effect of radiotherapy on survival was only observed in patients with higher Se concentrations (aHR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.20-0.63). Additionally, there was a multiplicative interaction between Se and radiotherapy on the prognosis of oral cancer patients (Pinteraction<0.01).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Our findings suggest that a high Se concentration might contribute to better DSS among oral cancer patients, and the effect may partly depend on radiotherapy treatment. Given these findings, additional research should focus on the role of Se in DSS among oral cancer patients and the interaction with radiotherapy.

Amounts of tissue magnesium and some trace elements in cats with mammary tumors related to various clinicopathological parameters

BACKGROUND

Mammary tumors are one of the major malignancies seen in cats. Researchers have indicated the similarity between the epidemiological and clinicopathological patterns of feline mammary tumors and human breast cancer (HBC). In recent years, the investigation of trace elements in cancer tissues becomes prevalent in HBC due to the role of these elements in biochemical and physiological processes. This study, it is aimed to evaluate some trace elements in feline mammary tumors according to clinical and pathological findings.

METHODS

A total of 60 tumoral masses from 16 female cats with mammary tumors were included in the study. The study groups were formed according to histopathology as malignant epithelial tumor (MET; n = 39) and hyperplasia and dysplasia (H&D; n = 21). Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se) and Zinc (Zn) trace elements in mammary tissues were analyzed by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The mean age and weight of the cats were 11.75 ± 0.75 years and 3.35 ± 0.21 kg; respectively. Eleven of 16 cats were intact whereas the rest of them had been spayed. Metastases were observed in 10 cats. Tissue Mg level in group MET was significantly higher than in group H&D (P < 0.01) while the other elements had not significant differences between the groups. In group MET, analyzed elements were not statistically significant related to the inflammation, ulceration and invasion to the peripheral muscle (P > 0.05). However, tissue Fe level was significantly higher in T2 than in T3 (P < 0.05). The mean levels of tissue Fe, Mg and Mn had significant differences related to histological grading as P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001; respectively. A mild to severe correlation was found between tissue Zn and Se, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Mn levels.

CONCLUSION

Tissue Mg and some trace elements were evaluated in feline mammary tumours in regard to various clinicopathological parameters. Tissue Mg level was sufficient to differentiate the malignant epithelial tumors from hyperplasia and dysplasia. However, Mn and Se tended to distinguish different tumor types. Tissue Fe, Mg and Mn had significant differences related to histological grading. Also, the Fe level was significantly higher in T2 than in T3 and Zn level tended to be higher in T3 than in T1. It was concluded that Mg, Se, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn provided useful information on the pathogenesis of feline mammary tumors. Further research is needed on the tissue and serum concentrations of trace elements which may provide valuable information for the disease prognosis.

Urinary Concentrations of Endocrine-Disrupting Metals and Prevalent Breast Cancer in US Women

The toxic metals cadmium, lead, and mercury are endocrine-disrupting agents that could produce estrogenic effects involving breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we further explored the relationship between exposure to these metals and prevalent breast cancer among female participants, aged 20 years or older, in the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Exposure was determined by measuring urinary concentrations of metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Urine creatinine-corrected concentrations of metals were calculated for each study participant. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association between urinary metals and prevalent breast cancer, adjusting for potential confounders. Of the 3352 study participants, 106 had been diagnosed with breast cancer (weighted prevalence, 3.13%). The results show that women with breast cancer had significantly higher urinary concentrations of lead and cadmium (both p < 0.0001) than those without breast cancer. After adjusting for all the covariates included in the study, however, only urinary lead was shown to be significantly associated with increased prevalence of breast cancer, with an odds ratio of 2.95 (95% CI: 1.13, 7.70) in the highest quartile of urinary lead concentrations (≥ 0.71 µg/g creatinine) as compared with the lowest quartile. No statistically significant associations were observed between urine cadmium or mercury levels and breast cancer. This study demonstrates a potential association between lead exposure and prevalent breast cancer among US women. Prospective and mechanistic studies are warranted to further investigate this interaction and explore the role of lead in breast carcinogenesis.

Interaction Between Essential (Zn) and Toxic (Cd) Elements in Different Stages of Female Breast Cancer Patients, Resident in Different Cities of Sindh, Pakistan

Breast cancer is the most familiar solid tumor analyzed in women. Trace elements have critical roles in cancer biology. In this research, the relationship between carcinogenic element, cadmium (Cd), and anti-carcinogenic elements, zinc (Zn), in the scalp hair and blood samples of four stages of female breast cancer patients was studied. We have determined the essential trace (Zn) and toxic (Cd) elements, in biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of female breast cancer (n = 96 age ranging 22-35 years), residents of various cities of Pakistan. For comparative study, the biological samples of age-matched healthy (referent) subjects (n = 115) were also analyzed for selected metals. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked by using certified reference materials of biological referent materials (human hair (BCR 397) and ClinCheck lyophilized blood). The mean concentrations of Cd were found to be 3- to fourfold significantly higher in the scalp hair and blood samples of female breast patients as compared to referents, while reverse results were obtained in the case of Zn (p > 0.001). The observed data shows the significant effect of carcinogenic (Cd) and their balance towards the anti-carcinogenic (Zn) in humans.

Repeated exposure to the irrigative wastewater in Shijiazhuang induced precancerous lesion associated with cytochrome P450

In the present study, the carcinogenic effects of the wastewater sample collected from the Dongming Canal in Shijiazhuang city were first detected by the rat medium-term liver bioassay. The experiment contained five groups: a negative control group, a DEN-alone group, 25% wastewater, 50% wastewater, and 100% wastewater. The body weight of rats decreased significantly as the dose increased. Morphologically, we also found that the damage of the hepatic lobule was more serious and the proliferation of liver cells was more obvious as the dose increased. In addition, we observed a significantly increased liver organ coefficient in rat. With the increase in dose, the damage of the hepatocytes was more serious, which was manifested in significantly elevated of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gammaglutamyl transfer peptide enzyme (γ-GT). And, the irrigative wastewater significantly increased GST-p in the liver of rats at both the transcriptional and translational levels dose-dependently, eventually causing precancerous lesions in the liver tissues. CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expressions in the rat liver cells at the level of transcription and translation were also significantly increased dose-dependently. Our data clearly demonstrated that the irrigative wastewater had a carcinogenetic effect that was associated with CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. The risk of carcinogenic potential to human health might be due to joint action and accumulative effects over a long period of exposure. We can also concluded that the medium-term liver bioassay could be used as an effective method for evaluating the carcinogenicity of complex water mixtures such as irrigative wastewater.

A Summary of New Findings on the Biological Effects of Selenium in Selected Animal Species-A Critical Review

Selenium is an essential trace element important for many physiological processes, especially for the functions of immune and reproductive systems, metabolism of thyroid hormones, as well as antioxidant defense. Selenium deficiency is usually manifested by an increased incidence of retention of placenta, metritis, mastitis, aborts, lowering fertility and increased susceptibility to infections. In calves, lambs and kids, the selenium deficiency demonstrates by WMD (white muscle disease), in foals and donkey foals, it is associated with incidence of WMD and yellow fat disease, and in pigs it causes VESD (vitamin E/selenium deficiency) syndrome. The prevention of these health disorders can be achieved by an adequate selenium supplementation to the diet. The review summarizes the survey of knowledge on selenium, its biological significance in the organism, the impact of its deficiency in mammalian livestock (comparison of ruminants vs. non-ruminants, herbivore vs. omnivore) and possibilities of its peroral administration. The databases employed were as follows: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar.

Antimutagenic Effects of Selenium-Enriched Polysaccharides from Pyracantha fortuneana through Suppression of Cytochrome P450 1A Subfamily in the Mouse Liver

Both selenium (Se) and polysaccharides from Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) Li (PFPs) (P. fortuneana) have been reported to possess antioxidative and immuno-protective activities. Whether or not Se-containing polysaccharides (Se-PFPs) have synergistic effect of Se and polysaccharides on enhancing the antioxidant and immune activities remains to be determined. We previously reported that polysaccharides isolated from Se-enriched P. fortuneana (Se-PFPs) possessed hepatoprotective effects. However, it is not clear whether or not they have anti-mutagenic effects. In the present study, we compared and evaluated anti-mutagenic effects of Se-PFPs at three concentrations (1.35, 2.7 and 5.4 g/kg body weight) with those of PFPs, Se alone or Se + PFPs in mice using micronucleus assay in bone marrow and peripheral blood as well as mitomycin C-induced chromosomal aberrations in mouse testicular cells. We also elucidated the underlying mechanism. Our results demonstrated that Se-PFPs inhibited cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced micronucleus formation in both bone marrow and peripheral blood, enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in mouse liver, and reduced the activity and expression of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP4501A) in mouse liver in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we found that the anti-mutagenic potential of Se-PFPs was higher than those of PFPs, Se alone or Se + PFPs at the same level. These results suggest that the anti-mutagenic potential of Se-PFPs may be mediated through the inhibition of the activity and expression of CYP4501A. This study indicates that application of Se-PFPs may provide an alternative strategy for cancer therapy by targeting CYP1A family.

Selenium compounds induced ROS-dependent apoptosis in myelodysplasia cells

Several authors have demonstrated the chemoprotective and anti-carcinogenic role of selenium. However, the therapeutic potential of selenium in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as single agent and as co-adjuvant of the current therapies has not been previously studied. Sodium selenite and selenomethionine, alone and in combination with cytarabine, induce a decrease in cell viability in a time-, dose- and administration-dependent manner inducing cell death by apoptosis in F36P cells (MDS cell line). These compounds increased superoxide production and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The increase in BAX/BCL-2 ratio and in the activated caspase 3 expression levels, the decrease in mitochondria membrane potential, as well as the increase in superoxide production, supports the mitochondria contribution on selenium-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that selenium may offer a new therapeutic approach in myelodysplastic syndrome in monotherapy and/or as co-adjuvant therapy to conventional anti-carcinogenic.

Efficient preparation of selenium/glutathione-enriched Candida utilis and its biological effects on rats

The main purpose of this study was to prepare selenium/glutathione-enriched Candida utilis and investigate its effect on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response in rats. The preparation of the selenium/glutathione-enriched yeast was conducted using fed-batch culture for high cell density. The optimal culture conditions for increased intracellular organic selenium and glutathione contents were as follows: the concentrated medium was fed beginning at 12 h using a polynomial feeding strategy until a total glucose concentration of 150 g/l was reached, and sodium selenite was continuously added together with glucose to a total concentration of 60 mg/l. As a result, 81 % of sodium selenite was assimilated and transformed into organic selenium by C. utilis under optimal conditions, which in turn resulted in greater glutathione accumulation and lower malondialdehyde cellular content in the yeast. To investigate and compare the effects of the prepared selenized C. utilis and other dietary supplements, 40 female rats were divided into five groups of eight rats each, following a randomized block design. Experimental feeding was conducted for a period of 6 weeks. Selenium supplementation with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite) and organic selenium (selenized C. utilis) showed better results than the control and other groups supplemented with yeast with or without glutathione. The body mass of rats, selenium deposition, and oxidative enzymes activities in both serum and liver samples, and immunity responses were all significantly improved by selenium supplementation, and between the two sources, organic selenium was more effective than inorganic selenium.

Selenium intake and breast cancer mortality in a cohort of Swedish women

Selenium is an important cofactor in the production of antioxidant enzymes that may influence cancer progression. Selenium intake and cancer survival has not been extensively studied; however, selenium supplementation has been demonstrated to reduce cancer mortality in nutritional intervention trials. We investigated whether dietary selenium intake was associated with survival among 3,146 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Selenium intake before breast cancer diagnosis was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire completed in 1987. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) for death from breast cancer, non-breast cancer death, and death from any cause. During 28,172 person-years of follow-up from 1987 to 2009, there were 416 breast cancer-specific deaths and 964 total deaths. Dietary selenium intake was inversely associated with breast cancer-specific mortality and overall mortality. Women in the highest quartile of selenium intake had a multivariable HR (95 % CI) of death from breast cancer of 0.69 (0.52-0.92) compared with those in the lowest quartile (P (trend) = 0.009). The inverse association between dietary selenium intake and breast cancer death appeared strongest among women who had ever smoked (HR = 0.34; 95 % CI 0.14-0.83; P (trend) = 0.01) comparing the highest to lowest quartile. Our findings suggest that selenium intake before breast cancer diagnosis may improve breast cancer-specific survival and overall survival. However, these results may be limited to populations with low intakes of selenium.

Trace metal imbalance associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory status in anti-hepatitis C virus antibody positive subjects

Toxic and essential trace metals, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status were evaluated in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody-positive subjects. Blood biochemical parameters were determined in anti-HCV antibody-positive (n=17) and -negative controls (n=46). Compared with controls, anti-HCV antibody-positive individuals had significantly lower concentrations of plasma zinc (Zn); higher copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and aluminum (Al); and lower activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and elevated superoxide dismutase. Significantly increased lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, and Cu/Zn ratios, as well as decreased albumin and high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were observed. We have found significant interactions between toxic (e.g., Pb, Cd, and Al) and essential metals (e.g., Zn, Cu, Fe), which correlated with MDA. In conclusion, anti-HCV antibody-positive subjects had abnormal distributions of trace metals that may aggravate oxidative stress and inflammation, and exacerbate hepatic damage.

Impact of trace element changes on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in healthy and diabetic states among middle-age and elderly Egyptians

The aim of this study was to confirm if there is a link between the alteration in blood levels of trace elements (chromium, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in healthy and diabetic states. This study is the first study to test these parameters in Egyptians. The study included 150 subjects divided into the following four groups: healthy middle-aged, healthy elderly, middle-aged diabetics, and elderly diabetics. Our results revealed a statistically significant decrease in the level of DHEAS in the elderly compared to middle-aged healthy and diabetic groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the middle-aged groups with respect to zinc, copper, chromium, and cadmium levels. Zinc and copper were lower in the diabetic subjects while chromium and cadmium were higher in the same group in comparison to healthy subjects. In the elderly groups, there were significant increases in chromium and cadmium levels in diabetic subjects rather than healthy ones. There was a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance level in the elderly healthy and diabetic groups and a significant decrease in the glutathione level in the elderly groups. There was no correlation between the levels of trace elements and DHEAS or between the levels of DHEAS, oxidants, and antioxidants in all of the tested groups. In conclusion, only the DHEAS level was correlated with age. There was no difference between the diabetic and healthy groups with respect to the levels of trace elements, with the exception of chromium and cadmium, which suggests the effect of pollution on the pathogenesis of diabetes in Egyptians. No correlation existed between the levels of DHEAS and trace elements, oxidants, and antioxidants. Finally, we believe that there is a large regional variation in the levels of trace elements due to different environmental exposure and nutritional factors which are responsible for contradictory results regarding the pathogenesis of diseases related to alterations in the levels of trace elements.

Effects of acute in vivo cisplatin and selenium treatment on hematological and oxidative stress parameters in red blood cells of rats

Although cisplatin (cisPt) is one of the most often used cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of cancer, its clinical application is associated with nephrotoxicity and a cumulative anemia. In this study, we evaluated posible protective effects of selenium (Se) on hematological and oxidative stress parameters in rats, acutely treated with cisPt. Four groups of Wistar albino rats included control rats, cisPt-treated (7.5 mg/kg of body weight of cisPt, i.p.), Se-treated (6 mg/kg of body weight of Na(2)SeO(4), i.p.), and Se and cisPt co-treated rats. The rats were killed 72 h after treatment; hematological and oxidative stress parameters were followed in red blood cells. The results showed depletion in platelet number induced by high acute doses of cisPt and strong utilization of reduced glutathione, resulting in elevation of GSSG/2 GSH ratio. Se treatment was followed by stimulated erythropoiesis, increased lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion. Se and cisPt co-treatment were followed by stimulated erythropoiesis and significant recovery of reduced glutathione status when compared with cisPt-treated rats. In conclusion, acute doses of Se and cisPt primarily act as pro-oxidants. CisPt influenced antioxidative properties of exogenous Se and their synergistic effects may partially participate in protection against cisPt-induced toxicity.

Abnormal blood levels of trace elements and metals, DNA damage, and breast cancer in the state of Kuwait

This study aims at investigating the blood level of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd in breast cancer patients and the association between such level and the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes. Fifty stage I breast cancer patients were recruited for this study at the time of diagnosis and before receiving any treatment or surgery. The control group consisted of 150 normal females matched to the patients for age (± 5 years). The whole blood level of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd was determined using spectrophotometry. The frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes in the blood was determined using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. The level of Cu, Zn, and Se was significantly lower (p = 0.0006, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively) in breast cancer patients, as compared to controls. The level of Cd was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the patients, as compared to controls. The frequency of lymphocytes with one micronucleus was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the patients, as compared to controls. In breast cancer patients, the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes showed different associations with different levels of these trace elements. High Cd, low Zn, low Se, and both high and low Cu levels were significantly associated with micronucleus formation in lymphocytes. A similar association was found in the normal control group only in relation to high Se and Cd levels. Breast cancer patients seem to have abnormal levels of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd, and such abnormality is associated with micronucleus formation in lymphocytes.

Hair analysis as a biomonitor for toxicology, disease and health status

Hair analysis receives a large amount of academic and commercial interest for wide-ranging applications. However, in many instances, especially for elemental or 'mineral' analysis, the degree of success of analytical interpretation has been quite minimal with respect to the extent of such endeavors. In this critical review we address the questions surrounding hair analysis with specific intent of discovering what hair concentrations can actually relate to in a biogenic sense. This is done from a chemistry perspective to explain why and how elements are incorporated into hair and their meaning. This includes an overview of variables attributed to altering hair concentrations, such as age, gender, melanin content, and other less reported factors. Hair elemental concentrations are reviewed with regard to morbidity, with specific examples of disease related effects summarized. The application of hair analysis for epidemiology and etiology studies is enforced. A section is dedicated specifically to the area of population studies with regards to mercury, which highlights how endogenous and exogenous incorporation relies on species dependant metabolism and metabolic products. Many of the considerations are relevant to other areas of interest in hair analysis, such as for drug and isotopic analysis. Inclusion of a table of elemental concentrations in hair should act as a valuable reference (298 references).

Lead exposure: a contributing cause of the current breast cancer epidemic in Nigerian women

Breast cancer incidence in Nigerian women has significantly increased during the past three decades in parallel with the rapid industrialization of that country. This suggested that the associated widespread contamination of the soil and of the water supplies by lead (Pb) and other industrial metals was a major contributing cause. Because of its many domestic, industrial, and automotive uses, Pb is of particular concern as it has been shown to promote the development of mammary tumors in murine mammary tumor virus-infected female C3H mice at levels as low of 0.5 ppm Pb in the drinking water. Lead belongs to the group of selenium-antagonistic elements that interact with selenium (Se), abolishing its anti-carcinogenic effect. Lead on chronic, low-level exposure in addition also accelerates tumor growth rates. Higher levels of Pb were found in blood and head hair samples of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer, all with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer in Nigeria, seen at Obafemi Awolowo University, than in cancer-free controls from the same area. Evidence for interactions between Pb and Se was obtained from blood, hair, and tumor biopsy tissue analyses. Furthermore, the Pb levels in hair samples of the patients were directly correlated with the volumes of their tumors, in accord with the tumor growth-promoting effects of Pb. Conversely, Se levels in hair and blood were inversely correlated with the tumor volumes, consistent with the anti-proliferative effects of Se. Several other elements, e.g., Cd, Hg, Cr, Sn, and As, were detected in the scalp hair of the patients and the controls, although at significantly lower levels than those of Pb. However, correlation calculations revealed them also to interact with Se, suggesting that only a fraction of the Se in organs and tissues is actually present in bioactive forms. In metal-exposed subjects, a state of latent Se deficiency may exist, resulting in depressed immune functions and increased cancer susceptibility. Evidence is presented to show that Pb and other metals also interact with iodine, another vitally important essential trace element believed to protect against breast cancer development. Public health programs aiming at lowering the breast cancer risk of Nigerian women thus will have to include effective measures to protect the population from exposures to Pb and other industrial metals that are presently contaminating the environment and the water supplies.

Comparison of trace elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign breast lesions versus healthy women

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 microg/g), followed by Na (655 microg/g), Mg (478 microg/g), Zn (391 microg/g), Sr (152 microg/g), Fe (114 microg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 microg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 microg/g), Zn (206 microg/g), Mg (162 microg/g), Fe (129 microg/g), and Na (82.1 microg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.

Selenium and glutathione peroxidase status in adult Egyptian patients with acute myeloid leukemia

This study was undertaken to evaluate selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) status in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before and after induction therapy. Twenty-five patients with newly diagnosed AML and 15 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this study. Serum Se level by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric technique and GPX activity by an adaptation of Beutler method was performed for the patients before and after receiving the induction therapy. Serum Se level was significantly lower in patients with AML versus control subjects (63.1 ± 8.8 versus 77 ± 8.8 μg/L before therapy with a P value <0.01 and 69 ± 6.8 versus 77 ± 8.8 μg/L after therapy with a P value <0.01).GPX activity was significantly lower in patients with AML versus control subjects (1.6 ± 0.4 versus 3.4 ± 0.7 μ/g protein pretreatment with a P value <0.01 and 1.9 ± 0.6 versus 3.4 ± 0.7 μ/g protein post induction treatment with P value <0.01).Se level and GPX activity significantly increased in AML patients after treatment. Patients who accomplished complete remission after induction harbored significantly higher Se levels than resistant patients before and after treatment. There was no significant correlation between serum Se level and GPX activity. Decreased Se level and reduced GPX activity in AML patients support the association of carcinogenesis and subnormal Se states.

Variation in the distribution of trace elements in renal cell carcinoma

The development of cancer is a complex, multistage process during which a normal cell undergoes genetic changes that result in phenotypic alterations and in the acquisition of the ability to invade other sites. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to estimate the contents of Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, and Zn in healthy kidney and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and significant differences were found for all elements. Along with the progression of the malignant disease, a progressive decrease of Cd and K was observed. In fact, for Cd, the concentration in stage T4 was 263.9 times lower than in stage T1, and for K, the concentration in stage T4 was 1.73 times lower than in stage T1. Progressive accumulation was detected for P, Pb, and Zn in stage T4. For P, the concentration in stage T4 was 11.1 times higher than in stage T1; for Pb, the concentration in stage T4 was 232.7 times higher than in T1; and for Zn, the concentration in T4 was 8.452 times higher than in T1. This study highlights the marked differences in the concentrations of selected trace metals in different malignant tumor stages. These findings indicate that some trace metals may play important roles in the pathogenesis of RCC.