Abstract

Metabolic derangement commonly associated with prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well researched in Nigerian malignant PCa patients yet. The present study was designed to assess the levels of selected trace metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Co, and Se) and markers of oxidative stress,such as total plasma peroxide (TPP), total antioxidant potential (TAP), oxidative stress index (OSI) and free malondialdehyde (MDA), in Nigerian patients with malignant (PCa). Twenty three newly diagnosed patients with malignant PCa participated in this study. Inclusion criteria includedprostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in blood >20 µg/ml and clinical presentation. Thirty apparently healthy staffs of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria served as controls. There were significantly (p<0.05) lower plasma levels of Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Se and TAP in malignant PCa patients when compared with the controls. In contrast, there was no significant change in the plasma level of Cr when compared with the controls. Meanwhile, significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of TPP, MDA and OSI were observed in malignant PCa patients when compared with the controls. Our results indicate trace metal deficiency and oxidative stress in malignant PCa patients. Since micronutrients’ deficiencies play critical roles in oxidative stress, micronutrients supplementation might be used to overcome complications in malignant PCa patients.

Key words: Trace metals, oxidative metabolites, malignant prostate cancer.