Some Mineral, trace Element and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Lung Cancer

Abstract

<br/><b>Objective</b>: We aimed to determine the relationship between some mineral, trace element and heavy metallevels in the patients of lung cancer by measuring serum levels of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe),cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg). <br/><b>Methods</b>: A total of 50 lung cancer and humanhealth (30 lung cancer and 20 healthy human) were included in the study. Venous blood samples of each lungcancer were obtained, and serum Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Co, Mn, Mg levels were analysed by Atomic AbsorptionSpectrophotometer measurements. <br/><b>Results</b>: Mg value measured in lung cancer group were lower than the controlgroup and this was statistically significant (P<0.01). Serum Cu level was significantly lower with lung cancercompared to healthy human (P<0.01). Pb level was significantly higher than those of controls (P<0.01). Theserum Zn level was significantly lower in serum of lung cancer group than controls (P<0.01). Serum Mn and Colevels were found increased in lung cancer group than controls (P<0.01). Cd value was higher in lung cancer butit was not statistically significant (p>0.01). The mean concentration of Fe in the serum of lung cancer patientswas higher than in the controls, but the difference was not significant (p>0.01). There was a positive correlationbetween Cd and Pb level, and between Mn and Fe levels in lung cancer. There was a negative correlation betweenCo and Zn levels of healthy human. There was a negative correlation between Co and Mg levels of lung cancer.<br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Serum Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mg, Co, Mn and Cd might be play a role in the patients of lung cancers.Zn may protective as potent lung cancer. In addition, it is suggested that low levels of zinc can induce thepathogenesis of lung cancer.