Dynamics of Trace Elements and Metal-Dependent Enzymes in Stomach Cancer Patients

Abstract

Essential trace elements play important roles in maintaining health in the human body. The levels of trace elements and the activities of metal-dependent enzymes in patients vary with the progression of disease. In the present studies, blood and tissue levels of major, trace and ultratrace elements such as magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, titanium, rubidium, vanadium, cadmium, strontium, lead, mercury, cesium, and molybdenum in normal subjects and patients with stomach cancer were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Three metalloenzymes involved in scavenging superoxide anions and peroxides were assayed in the same patients to ascertain any correlation to pathogenesis. Altered levels of trace and ultratrace elements, and negative or positive correlations between pairs of elements in blood and tissues, were observed at each stage of malignancy. The metabolism of superoxide anions was slower in affected tissue due to a decrease in the relevant enzymes.