Trace elements of normal, benign hypertrophic and cancerous tissues of the Human prostate gland investigated by neutron activation analysis

The Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn contents in normal (n=37), benign hypertrophic (n=43), and cancerous tissues (n=60) of the human prostate gland were investigated by neutron activation analysis. Mean values (M±SΕΜ) for content (mg/kg, dry weight basis) of trace elements in the normal tissue were: Ag—0.048±0.009, Co—0.045±0.004, Cr—0.53±0.08, Fe—111±9, Hg—0.056±0.011, Rb—12.7±0.9, Sb—0.045±0.007, Sc—0.029±0.005, Se—0.70±0.04, and Zn—1000±110, respectively. It was observed that in benign hypertrophic tissues the contents of Co, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Se were higher than in normal tissues, with statistically significant differences. The contents of Co, Rb, Sc, and Zn were significantly lower and those of Ag, Cr, Fe, Hg, and Sb were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues.

► INAA is an adequate tool for the determination of trace element contents in the samples of human prostate.
► In benign hypertrophic tissues the Co, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Se contents were higher than in normal tissues.
► In cancerous tissues contents of Co, Rb, Sc, and Zn were significantly lower than in normal tissues.
► In cancerous tissues the Ag, Cr, Fe, Hg, and Sb contents were higher than in normal tissues.
► The estimation of Zn content in a needle-biopsy core may be used as a tool to diagnose prostate cancer.