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The comparative study of serum iron, copper, and zinc levels between bladder cancer patients and a control group

International Urology and Nephrology volume 42, pages 89–93 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

A relatively wide range of trace elements are known to play important roles in biological processes, including the oxidative processes. Oxidative processes are one of the mechanisms involved in both incidence and recurrence of bladder cancer. In the present study, the concentration of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the serum of patients with bladder cancer in comparison to healthy subjects.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with bladder cancer and 58 healthy volunteers after age, sex, and smoking habits were matched. After overnight fasting, samples were collected. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Zn were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and comparisons were made using Student's t-test.

Results

There was a significant increase in mean Cu and Cu/Zn serum level in bladder cancer patients compared to the control group (P < 0.001). In contrast, the serum zinc level in patients having bladder cancer was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the serum iron level was significantly lower in the patients than the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In the present study, a relationship was seen between the level of trace elements and the occurrence of bladder cancer, suggesting that an increase in the serum level of Cu and a decrease in the levels of Zn and Fe might be important causes of bladder cancer occurrence; however, defining such a cause-and-effect relationship needs several prospective studies to be done, which seems necessary with regard to the high prevalence of this cancer.

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Acknowledgments

The authors have no financial affiliation (e.g., employment, direct payment, stock holdings, retainers, consultantships, patent licensing arrangements, or honoraria), or involvement with any commercial organization with direct financial interest in the subject or materials discussed in this manuscript. The authors would like to thank the personnel of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for their cooperation.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jarib Street, Isfahan, Iran

    Hamid Mazdak, Faranak Yazdekhasti, Ahmad Movahedian, Nooshin Mirkheshti & Mohammad Shafieian

  2. Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Hamid Mazdak

  3. Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Faranak Yazdekhasti

  4. Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Ahmad Movahedian

  5. Hakiman Shargh Research Company, Isfahan, Iran

    Nooshin Mirkheshti

  6. East Sage Research Institute, Isfahan Science & Technology Town, No.5, Ghezelbash Street, Tohid Avenue, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohammad Shafieian

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  1. Hamid Mazdak
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  2. Faranak Yazdekhasti
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  3. Ahmad Movahedian
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  5. Mohammad Shafieian
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Correspondence to Mohammad Shafieian.

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Mazdak, H., Yazdekhasti, F., Movahedian, A. et al. The comparative study of serum iron, copper, and zinc levels between bladder cancer patients and a control group. Int Urol Nephrol 42, 89–93 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9583-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9583-4

Keywords

  • Bladder cancer
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Trace elements
  • Zinc