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Serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio in patients with breast cancer

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Abstract

Serum copper, zinc levels, and the Cu/Zn ratio were evaluated in 31 patients with breast cancer and 35 healthy controls. Copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry. The mean serum copper level and the mean Cu/Zn ratio in patients with breast cancer were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001 andp<0.001). In addition, the mean serum zinc level in patients with breast cancer was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001). Neither serum copper and zinc levels nor the Cu/Zn ratio were of value in discriminating of the disease activity and severity. Interestingly, the Cu/Zn ratio in premenopausal patients was higher than postmenopausal patients (p<0.05) and this was not related to age. The further combined biological and epidemiological studies are necessary to investigate the roles of copper and zinc in breast cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Gülhane Military Faculty of Medicine, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Idris Yücel, Fikret Arpaci, Ahmet Özet & Önder Berk

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Gülhane Military Faculty of Medicine, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Bülent Döner

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gülhane Military Faculty of Medicine, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Turan Karayilanoĝlu

  4. Department of Pharmaceutic Toxicology, Gülhane Military Faculty of Medicine, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Ahmet Sayar

Authors
  1. Idris Yücel
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  2. Fikret Arpaci
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  3. Ahmet Özet
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  4. Bülent Döner
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  5. Turan Karayilanoĝlu
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  6. Ahmet Sayar
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  7. Önder Berk
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Yücel, I., Arpaci, F., Özet, A. et al. Serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio in patients with breast cancer. Biol Trace Elem Res 40, 31–38 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916818

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916818

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