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Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues

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Abstract

Selected trace metals were analyzed in human malignant and nonmalignant (benign) breast tissue samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In malignant tissues, dominant mean concentrations were revealed by Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al at 927, 552, 231, 61.7, 36.5, 18.3, and 8.94 μg/g, respectively, while the mean metal levels in benign tissues were 903, 435, 183, 63.3, 24.7, 14.5, and 10.1 μg/g, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the malignant tissues compared with the benign tissues. Significantly strong correlations (r > 0.50) in malignant tissues were observed between Mn and Co, Mn and Cd, Cd and Cr, Fe and Mn, Cd and Co, Fe and Co, Mg and Pb, Cd and Fe, Mg and Ni, Pb and Ni, Ni and Sr, and Fe and Pb, whereas, Cd and Co, Cd and Mn, Co and Mg, Co and Mn, Cu and Mn, Co and Ni, Mg and Ni, Cd and Cu, Cd and Ni, Ca and Mg, Mn and Pb, Cu and Ni, Fe and Ni, Cd and Mg, Co and Cu, Cr and Na, and Cd and Cr revealed strong and significant relationships in benign tissues at p < 0.001. Principal component analysis of the metals data yielded six principal components for malignant tissues and five principal components for benign tissues, with considerably different loadings, duly supported by cluster analysis. The study revealed a considerably different pattern of distribution and mutual correlations of trace metals in the breast tissues of benign and cancerous patients.

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Acknowledgments

The funding by Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan, to carry out this project is gratefully acknowledged. We are also thankful to the administration of POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, and Christian Hospital, Taxila, for their invaluable help during the sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Qaisara Pasha & Salman A. Malik

  2. POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Javed Iqbal

  3. Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Nazia Shaheen & Munir H. Shah

Authors
  1. Qaisara Pasha
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  2. Salman A. Malik
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  3. Javed Iqbal
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  4. Nazia Shaheen
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  5. Munir H. Shah
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Correspondence to Munir H. Shah.

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Pasha, Q., Malik, S.A., Iqbal, J. et al. Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues. Biol Trace Elem Res 125, 30–40 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8158-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8158-z

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