Determination of Some Trace Elements in Breast Cancer Serum by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Safaa Sabri Najim

doi:10.5539/ijc.v9n1p1

Abstract

In the breast cancer significant differences occurs in the normal distribution of the trace elements, playing an important role in carcinogenic process. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of some trace elements (Chromium, Cadmium, Manganese, Cobalt, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc, Iron, Copper and Magnesium) by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The present study included 150 females, the participates were divided into two main groups, control group which consisted of 75 apparently healthy females, 75patients with breast cancer group .The serum levels of Chromium (tcal2.9631 ,ttab1.960), Cadmium (tcal2.0798 ,ttab1.960), Manganese (tcal18.5676, ttab1.960), Selenium (tcal2.2759,ttab1.960), Iron (tcal2.9296,ttab1.960), Copper (tcal4.0869, ttab1.960),Magnesium (tcal2.6648, ttab1.960), Cobalt (tcal3.8615 , ttab1.960) and Zinc (tcal7.0160, ttab1.960) were statistically significant higher in the breast cancer patients group than the control group. Similarly, Nickel (tcal1.5988,ttab1.960) levels showed significant lower level in breast cancer patients group. On the other hand, the higher levels of trace elements could lead to formation of free radicals or other reactive oxygen species. The evaluation of these trace elements in serum maybe used as helpful tool in diagnosis of the breast cancer.

Highlights

Almost 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2012, 12% new of cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women, causing death to women worldwide (Ferlay et al, 2012)
Ten trace elements as follows; chromium(Cr), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn)), cobalt(Co), nickel(Ni), selenium(Se), zinc (Zn),iron(Fe),copper(Cu),and magnesium (Mg)were identified and their concentrations were determined for each serum sample
To evaluate the differences between the mean trace element concentrations obtained in breast cancer and control groups, the mean trace elements concentration obtained for the two categories were subjected to a statistical student t-test analysis

Summary

Introduction

Almost 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2012, 12% new of cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women, causing death to women worldwide (Ferlay et al, 2012). Oxidative stress in the cells will predominate when the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) becomes too much, overpowering the normal antioxidant defense system, reduce the antioxidant system in addition to formation more free radicals (McKeown, 1999) and (Halliwell & Cross, 1994). The increasing formation of free radicals may harm the tissue through the reaction with lipid cell membrane, proteins and nucleic acids (Halliwell, 2007). The cellular defense mechanisms (antioxidant mechanism) can control the free radicals species levels through, enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic compounds (vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione and uric acid) (Badid et al, 2010).The oxidative damage to the biological molecules will create lipid peroxydation, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis (Kasapovic, Pejic,Todorovic, Stojiljkovic & Pajovic, 2008). The trace elements determination is important for their main role in the biochemical and physiological processes (Navoro & Rohan, 2007)

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