EVALUATION OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS IN ENUGU

C.O Ahiara; I.F. Onyeakolam; D.C Nwosu; I.C Ikaraoha; C.N. Nwadike; E.I. Obeagu

Ahiara C.O Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Onyeakolam I.F. Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Nwosu D.C Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Ikaraoha I.C Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Nwadike C.N
Obeagu E.I. Madonna University, Elele Campus, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Keywords: heavy metals, prostate cancer, aluminum, arsenic, chromium and lead

Abstract

The evaluation of some heavy metals, in prostate cancer patients and controls in Enugu, was carried out. Venous blood samples were collected from 72 participants who gave informed consent for this study at Enugu, Nigeria; 36 prostate cancer patients and 36 healthy subjects as controls. Blood heavy elements were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Data from this study were subjected to statistical analysis. Mean, standard deviation, student´s t-test and correlations were determined using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). Result shows that, blood Aluminum, Arsenic, Chromium and Lead, were significantly higher (0.03±0.02µg/dl; 0.01±0.01µg/dl, 0.02±0.01µg/dl; 0.02±0.01µg/dl, 0.10±0.04µg/dl; 0.03±0.00µg/dl, 13.77±4.16µg/dl; 11.11±1.37µg/dl, respectively) (p<0.05 in each case) in prostate cancer patients, compared with controls. The blood Al, As, Cd, Cr and Pd levels were significantly higher (p=0.000, p=0.014, p=0.012, p=0.032 and p=0.003 respectively) in prostate cancer patients 0-3years duration compared with prostate cancer patients 4-6 years’ duration. The blood Al, Cd, Cr, Pb and Hg levels were significantly correlated (p=0.024; r=0.377, p=0,081; r=-0.294, p=0.081;r=-0.294,p=0.002;r=-0,503 and p=0.033;r=-0.357 respectively) with free-PSA in prostate cancer patients. From the result of the study, it seems that heavy metals are raised in prostate cancer patients, and thus may play some role in the pathogenesis of the disease.