Multivariate Statistical Evaluation of 20 Metals/Metalloid Levels in the Serum of Patients with Prostate Gland Diseases

The prostate gland diseases are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PC) and exposure to toxic trace elements may promote the prostatic disorders in men. The present study is intended to analyze the concentrations of twenty elements (Al, Sb, Ca, Se, Cd, Fe, Hg, As, Zn, Mn, Na, Li, Cu, Co, Mg, Sr, Ni, K, Cr and Pb) in the serum of BPH (n = 188) and PC (n = 217) patients and in comparison with controls (n = 233). Nitric acid-perchloric acid mixture was used for serum digestion followed by determination of the metals/metalloid by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This study elucidates the imbalances of the elements with BPH/PC patients and healthy subjects. For multiple comparisons, Bonferroni test was applied and principal component analysis was performed for measuring the multiple metals/metalloid exposure. Mean concentrations of Al, Cr, Pb, Cd, Na, Ni and K were found higher significantly (p < 0.05) in the serum of BPH patients compared with healthy controls, while average levels of Sb, Al, Cd, As, Mn, Sr, K and Pb were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in PC patients than controls. The correlation patterns revealed significantly different mutual associations among the metals/metalloid in patients as compared to controls. Multivariate statistical methods showed substantially divergent grouping of the metals/metalloid for both groups of patients and healthy controls. Significant variations in the elements levels were also detected in various PC types (small cell prostate, transitional cell, squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinoma) and PC stages. Significant differences in the metals/metalloid levels were also noted with abode, dietary and smoking habits of donor groups.