Analysis of plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Zinc deficiency has been associated with damage and oxidative changes in DNA that may increase an individual's risk of cancer. Furthermore, zinc metabolism may be affected in cancer patients, leading to alterations in its distribution that would favor carcinogenesis. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in women with breast cancer were evaluated in this cross-sectional, controlled study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five premenopausal women of 25 to 49 years of age with and without breast cancer were divided into two groups: Group A, composed of women without breast cancer (controls, n = 26) and Group B, composed of women with breast cancer (cases, n = 29). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry at γ = 213.9 nm. Diet was assessed using the 3-day diet recall method and analyzed using the NutWin software program, version 1.5. Student's t-test was used to compare means and significance was established at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Mean plasma zinc levels were 69.69 ± 9.00 g/dL in the breast cancer patients and 65.93 ± 12.44 g/dL in the controls (p = 0.201). Mean erythrocyte zinc level was 41.86 ± 8.28 µgZn/gHb in the cases and 47.93 ± 7.00 µgZn/gHb in the controls (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary zinc levels were above the estimated average requirement. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that zinc levels are lower in the erythrocyte compartment of pre-menopausal women with breast cancer.

Analysis of plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer / Análisis de los niveles de zinc en plasma y eritrocitos en mujeres premenopáusicas con cáncer de mama

Introduction: Zinc deficiency has been associated with damage and oxidative changes in DNA that may increase an individual’s risk of cancer. Furthermore, zinc metabolism may be affected in cancer patients, leading to alterations in its distribution that would favor carcinogenesis. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels in women with breast cancer were evaluated in this cross-sectional, controlled study. Material and methods: Fifty-five premenopausal women of 25 to 49 years of age with and without breast cancer were divided into two groups: Group A, composed of women without breast cancer (controls, n = 26) and Group B, composed of women with breast cancer (cases, n = 29). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry at γ= 213.9 nm. Diet was assessed using the 3-day diet recall method and analyzed using the Nut Win software program, version 1.5. Student’s t-test was used to compare means and significance was established at p < 0.05.Results: Mean plasma zinc levels were 69.69 ± 9.00g/dL in the breast cancer patients and 65.93 ± 12.44 g/dLin the controls (p = 0.201). Mean erythrocyte zinc level was 41.86 ± 8.28 μgZn/gHb in the cases and 47.93 ± 7.00μgZn/gHb in the controls (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary zinc levels were above the estimated average requirement. Conclusions: The present results suggest that zinc levels are lower in the erythrocyte compartment of premenopausal women with breast cancer (AU)

Introducción: La deficiencia de zinc se relacionada con daños y modificaciones oxidativas del DNA, lo que puede favorecer el riesgo de cáncer. Sin embargo, en pacientes con cáncer, puede haber alteraciones en el metabolismo del zinc con alteración en su distribución, favoreciendo la cancinogénesis. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las concentraciones plasmáticas y eritrocitarias de zinc en mujeres con cáncer de mama. Material y métodos: estudio de naturaleza transversal, del tipo caso y control llevado a cabo en 55 mujeres premenopáusicas con y sin cáncer de mama con un rango de edades situado entre 25 y 49 años. Las pacientes fueron distribuidas en dos grupos: Grupo A, sin cáncer de mama (control, n = 26) y Grupo B, con cáncer de mama (caso, n= 29). El análisis de las concentraciones de zinc plasmático y eritrocitario fue realizado según el método de espectofotometría de absorción atómica de llama γ = 213,9 nm. La evaluación de la dieta fue determinada utilizando el registro alimentario de tres días y el análisis por el software NutWin versión 1.5. Para el análisis de las medias fue utilizado el test de estudios t de Student (p < 0,05) Resultados: la media de las concentraciones plasmáticas de zinc fue 69,69 ± 9,0 μg/dL y 65,93 ± 12,44 μg/dL enl as pacientes casos (cáncer) y controles, respectivamente (p = 0,201). La media de zinc eritrocitaria fue 41,86 ± 8,28μgZn/gHb en las pacientes casos y 47,93 ± 7,00 μgZn/gHbe n los controles (p < 0,05). Ambos grupos tenían concentración de zinc, en la dieta, superior a la recomendada. Conclusiones: Los resultados del presente estudio indican que mujeres menopáusicas con cáncer de mama presentan menor concentración de zinc en el compartimiento eritrocitario, lo que puede constituirlo en un nuevo biomarcador pronóstico y posible diana terapéutica del cáncer de mama (AU)