Zinc in prostate cancer: The study based on synchrotron radiation techniques

Abstract

Zinc is a vital element in the nutrition of human beings, animals and plants. Although most experimental data have demonstrated the adverse effects of Zn deficiency on human and animal health, there is still evidence to support the hypothesis that Zn toxicity can also result in deleterious health effects. Conflicting views have been expressed regarding the role of Zn in carcinogenesis. Some studies emphasize the fact that Zn deficiency causes cancers, while others highlight that Zn is involved in tumour growth and development of neoplastic transformation. These conflicting observations suggest that the role of Zn in different organs may be different. Based on the results of a micro-beam synchrotron X-ray fluorescence technique (micro-SRIXE) applied to the quantitative analysis of Zn, we correlated Zn concentration levels with the clinical stage of prostate cancer at the time of operation (described by the Gleason grade system). Serial sections of prostate tissues were collected from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Our results seem to be valuable in light of determination of the potential changes in Zn concentration as a diagnostic marker and its etiological involvement in the different stages of prostate diseases. © 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.