Age-Related Changes in Zinc, Copper and Selenium Levels in the Human Prostate

Role of zinc homeostasis in the prevention of prostate diseases

The prostate gland is the largest accessory sex gland in the male reproductive system, and is recognized for its elevated zinc concentration. Recently, the incidence of prostate diseases has increased, posing a significant threat to the health of men. Increasing evidence suggests that maintaining normal prostate function requires proper zinc homeostasis. Prostate disease can cause changes in the regulation of zinc levels in the prostate. Studies have indicated that patients with prostatitis, prostate enlargement, or prostate cancer experience an imbalance in zinc homeostasis, resulting in changes in zinc levels in the body and altered distribution of zinc in tissues. Zinc prevents the malignant transformation of normal prostate tissue by blocking citric acid oxidation, inducing apoptosis, and exhibiting antioxidant activity. Therefore, studying changes in zinc homeostasis in prostate diseases is of great clinical value for diagnosing and treating these diseases. This article reviews the distribution and content of zinc in the prostate, the mechanism underlying zinc homeostasis regulation, the role of zinc homeostasis in prostate diseases, and the clinical applications of zinc.

A critical review on the relevance, essentiality, and analytical techniques of trace elements in human cancer

Trace elements (TEs) are indispensable nutritional elements, playing a pivotal role in maintaining human health and serving as essential cofactors for numerous enzymes that facilitate crucial biological processes. The dysregulation (excess or deficiency) of TEs can affect the proper functioning of various organs and lead to diseases like cancer. However, the current research findings remain contentious, and the association between TE variations and cancer remains elusive. This article reviews the recent advances in the quantitative detection of TEs in tumor research to fully understand the important role of TEs in disease diagnosis and prognosis. The changes in the levels of various elements (such as Cu, Zn, Fe, Se, Ca, etc.) are analyzed and summarized from five systems of the human body, including the digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, endocrine system, and respiratory system. By analyzing the relevant findings in diverse biological samples, we systematically investigate the disruption of TEs homeostasis in cancer patients, thereby underscoring the potential of TEs as cancer biomarkers. We also present novel analytical techniques such as isotope ratio determination and bioimaging, along with advanced auxiliary tools like machine learning, for the detection of TEs in disease research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of TEs variations in the main cancer types of different systems, which addresses the knowledge gap in TEs on human health, and provides proposals for future research.

Serological proteomic profiling uncovered CDK5RAP2 as a novel marker in benign prostatic hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects approximately half of men over the age of 50. Early detection and timely treatment facilitate disease intervention and achieve a better clinical outcome. However, current clinical methods, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA), lack the sensitivity to accurately distinguish between BPH and prostate cancer (PCa). Thus, optimal serum markers are warranted to complement existing diagnostic tests.

METHODS

In this study, we recruited 1987 BPH patients and characterized their clinical features. To explore BPH proteomic alterations, a data independent acquisition-based mass spectrometry proteomics approach was adopted for 66 serum samples from healthy males (n = 22), patients with BPH (n = 22) and prostate cancer (n = 22). Bioinformatic evaluations were performed for proteomic profiling and candidate selection. In addition, a promising candidate was further validated with ELISA assay.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that the level of free PSA correlated with prostate volume. 7.95 % of BPH patients had a PSA value greater than 10 ng/mL, with elevated free PSA, prostate volume, PSA density, and decreased free to total PSA ratio. Mass spectrometry-based serum profiling demonstrated distinct differences between BPH and PCa. CDK5RAP2 was weighted most important in BPH patients' serum and achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.900 in distinguishing BPH and PCa, which was further validated by publicly-available mRNA microarray analysis and cellular phenotype evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Our comprehensive analysis systematically explored BPH serum characteristics, proteomic profiles, and identified novel serum markers that may contribute to the understanding of BPH and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

Recent advances in Zn2+ imaging: From organelles to in vivo applications

Zn2+ is involved in various physiological and pathological processes in living systems. Monitoring the dynamic spatiotemporal changes of Zn2+ levels in organelles, cells, and in vivo is of great importance for the investigation of the physiological and pathological functions of Zn2+. However, this task is quite challenging since Zn2+ in living systems is present at low concentrations and undergoes rapid dynamic changes. In this review, we summarize the design and application of fluorescent probes for Zn2+ imaging in organelles, cells, and live organisms reported over the past two years. We aim to provide inspiration for the design of novel Zn2+ probes for multi-level monitoring and deepen the understanding of Zn2+ biology.

Zinc metabolism in healthy men and in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis

Introduction: Zinc is a vital trace element, which regulates metabolism of a prostate gland. It has been established that a low plasma zinc level in men increases the risk of chronic prostatitis and vice versa, chronic prostatitis is often accompanied by zinc deficiency in the prostate gland. The purpose of this study is to research the features and possible correlations of zinc metabolism disorders at systemic (in blood) and local (in prostatic fluid) levels in healthy men and patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).

Materials and methods: Ninety patients with CBP (main group) and thirty healthy men (control group) were randomized by age (mean age 38.5±2.9 years) and examined. In addition to standard examinations, the zinc levels in blood serum and prostatic fluid were determined, and the oxidative status of the prostate gland was assessed (the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the prostatic fluid) according to standard methods.

Results and discussion: In patients with CBP, the absolute deficiency of plasma and prostatic zinc was detected 2.89 and 2.5 times more often, respectively, than in healthy men (p < 0.05). At the same time, both the patients with CBP and healthy men had significant correlations between plasma zinc and zinc in prostatic fluid (r = 0.345; n = 37; p = 0.001 and r = 0.156; n = 30; p = 0.001; respectively). A significant positive correlation between the zinc level and the activity of SOD in prostatic fluid was revealed only in the patients with CBP (r = 0.389; n = 90; p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Zinc concentration in blood plasma does not objectively reflect zinc metabolism disorders in the prostate gland, and therefore the determination of zinc in prostatic fluid is the most reliable and sensitive method for assessing zink disorders in patients with CBP.

Selenium: An Antioxidant with a Critical Role in Anti-Aging

Aging is characterized by an imbalance between damage inflicted by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidative defenses of the organism. As a significant nutritional factor, the trace element selenium (Se) may remodel gradual and spontaneous physiological changes caused by oxidative stress, potentially leading to disease prevention and healthy aging. Se is involved in improving antioxidant defense, immune functions, and metabolic homeostasis. An inadequate Se status may reduce human life expectancy by accelerating the aging process or increasing vulnerability to various disorders, including immunity dysfunction, and cancer risk. This review highlights the available studies on the effective role of Se in aging mechanisms and shows the potential clinical implications related to its consumption. The main sources of organic Se and the advantages of its nanoformulations were also discussed.

Nutritional supplementation of the pharmacotherapy of prostate diseases

Introduction: Nutritional supplementation is an integral part of modern pharmacotherapeutic strategies for prostate diseases with different levels of evidence for specific nutrients.

Provitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin A (retinol) and prostate diseases. Their effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend them as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicted to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin K and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicted to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin D and prostate diseases. The evidence base of the vitamin D prostatotropic effects has been accumulated, which allows us to consider its deficiency replacement as an effective nutritional supplement in prostate diseases.

Omega-3 PUFAs and prostate diseases. They have universal physiological effects; however, the evidence base for their recommendation as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases is still insufficient.

Zinc and prostate diseases. Positive effects of zinc on the prostate gland are known for a fact and allow us to recommend it as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases.

Selenium and prostate diseases. The reliably proven positive effects of selenium on the prostate gland allow us to recommend it as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases.

Magnesium and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.