Analysis of trace elements in blood sera of breast cancer patients by particle induced X-ray emission

Serum Levels of Copper and Zinc and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients

There is emerging interest in the relationship between several serum micronutrients and the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The relationship between serum zinc and copper levels and breast cancer prognosis is unclear. In our study, we included 583 patients with breast cancer diagnosed between 2008 and 2015 in the region of Szczecin, Poland. In a blood sample obtained before treatment, serum zinc and copper levels were quantified by mass spectroscopy. Each patient was assigned to one of four categories (quartiles) based on the distribution of the elements in the entire cohort. Patients were followed from diagnosis to death over a mean of 10.0 years. The 10-year overall survival was 58.3% for women in the highest and 82.1% for those in the lowest quartile of serum copper/zinc ratio (p < 0.001). The multivariate hazard ratio (HR) for breast cancer death was 2.07 (95% CI 1.17-3.63; p = 0.01) for patients in the highest quartile of serum copper/zinc ratio compared to those in the lowest. There is evidence that the serum zinc level and copper/zinc ratio provide an independent predictive value for overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Mangiferin-Enriched Mn-Hydroxyapatite Coupled with β-TCP Scaffolds Simultaneously Exhibit Osteogenicity and Anti-Bacterial Efficacy

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) containing β-tricalcium phosphate and manganese (Mn)-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAP) was synthesized. Biomedical scaffolds were prepared using this synthesized powder on a sacrificial polyurethane sponge template after the incorporation of mangiferin (MAN). Mn was substituted at a concentration of 5% and 10% in HAP to examine the efficacy of Mn at various concentrations. The phase analysis of the as-formed BCP scaffold was carried out by X-ray diffraction analysis, while the qualitative observation of morphology and the osteoblast cell differentiation were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques. Gene expressions of osteocalcin, collagen 1, and RUNX2 were carried out using qRT-PCR analyses. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of ALP activity were observed with extended osteoblast induction on the mangiferin-incorporated BCP scaffolds. After characterization of the specimens, it was found that the scaffolds with 10% Mn-incorporated BCP with mangiferin showed better osteogenicity and simultaneously the same scaffolds exhibited higher anti-bacterial properties as observed from the bacterial viability test. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Mn and MAN in BCP for osteogenicity and antibacterial action.

Relationships Between Biological Heavy Metals and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Heavy metals were classified as essential, probably essential, and potentially toxic in the general population. Until now, it has been reported inconsistently on the association between heavy metals and BC. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the association between heavy metals and BC and review the potential mechanisms systematically.

Methods

We searched for epidemiological studies in English about the association between heavy metals and BC published before September 2020 in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. In total 36 studies, comprising 4,151 individuals from five continents around the world were identified and included.

Results

In all biological specimens, Cu, Cd, and Pb concentrations were higher, but Zn and Mn concentrations were lower in patients with BC than in non-BC participants [SMD (95% CIs): 0.62 (0.12, 1.12); 1.64 (0.76, 2.52); 2.03 (0.11, 3.95); −1.40 (−1.96, −0.85); −2.26 (−3.39, −1.13); p = 0.01, 0.0003, 0.04, <0.0001, <0.0001]. Specifically, higher plasma or serum Cu and Cd, as well as lower Zn and Mn, were found in cases [SMD (95% CIs): 0.98 (0.36, 1.60); 2.55 (1.16, 3.94); −1.53 (−2.28, −0.78); −2.40 (−3.69, −1.10); p = 0.002, 0.0003, <0.0001, 0.0003]; in hair, only lower Zn was observed [SMD (95% CIs): −2.12 (−3.55, −0.68); p = 0.0004]. Furthermore, the status of trace elements probably needs to be re-explored, particularly in BC. More prospective studies, randomized clinical trials, and specific pathogenic studies are needed to prevent BC. The main mechanisms underlying above-mentioned findings are comprehensively reviewed.

Conclusion

For BC, this review identified the current knowledge gaps which we currently have in understanding the impact of different heavy metals on BC.

Systematic Review Registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020176934, identifier: CRD42020176934.

Serum Elemental Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Using SRXRF

A total of 158 serum samples of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and control subjects were analyzed using Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (SRXRF) technique. The microprobe XRF beam line-16 of Indus-2 synchrotron radiation facility at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, India, was used to identify and quantify the elements K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb. A significant decrease in the mean concentrations of K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn, and As and an increase in the concentrations of V, Fe, Co, Cu, Se, and Pb were observed in the serum samples of the patient group when compared to the control group. It is hypothesized that the observed alterations in the elemental concentrations might have led to ineffective uptake of insulin and have interfered with glucose homeostasis by either directly or indirectly causing oxidative stress.

Serum copper and zinc levels in breast cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

More and more studies have investigated the relationship between serum copper (Cu) and/or zinc (Zn) levels and breast cancer (BC). However, the results are inconsistent. It is unclear whether the serum Cu to Zn ratio (Cu/Zn) is associated with BC risk. Therefore, we evaluated serum Cu and Zn concentrations, and Cu/Zn in BC through meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studies reporting serum Cu and/or Zn concentrations in BC patients and controls from 1991 to 2020 were identified from PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang databases online. Based on a random effects model, summary standard mean differences (SMDs) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were applied to compare the serum levels of Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn between BC patients and controls.

RESULTS

Thirty-six eligible studies involving 5747 female subjects were included. The present study illustrated that the BC patients had significantly higher serum Cu levels than healthy controls (HC) (SMD (95 % CI): 1.99(1.48, 2.49)) and patients with benign breast diseases (BD) (SMD (95 % CI): 0.99(0.38, 1.61)). However, Zn concentrations were statistically decreased in BC patients than HC (SMD (95 % CI): -1.20(-1.74, -0.66)) and BD (SMD (95 % CI): -1.13 (-1.73, -0.54)). Cu/Zn concentrations were remarkably increased in BC patients than HC (SMD (95 % CI): 2.75(1.79, 3.60)) and BD (SMD (95 % CI): 2.98(1.91, 4.05)) in some studies.

CONCLUSION

The results show that elevated serum levels of Cu and Cu/Zn, as well as decreased Zn might be associated with increased risk of breast cancer. These three parameters have the potential to distinguish breast cancer from benign breast diseases.

A meta-analysis of zinc levels in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring neoplasm in females, comprising 16% of all female cancers worldwide. Various studies indicate some discrepancies regarding zinc (Zn) levels in various samples of breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated by meta-analysed the published data for Zn levels analyzed in breast tissue, plasma, serum, and hair samples and its relationship with breast cancer.

METHODS

The present meta-analysis included 36 studies, all of which were published in the years between 1984 to 2017 and selected by searching the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and the ISI Web of Knowledge. The articles were analyzed, and I² statistics were used to examine heterogeneity. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 36 studies, with total 1699 study subjects and 2009 controls.

RESULTS

Significant statistical differences overall were observed, based on a random effects model (SMD (95 % CI), -0.78[-1.40, -0.16], P = 0.014). Data from 19 of these studies indicated significant statistical differences between cancerous patients and controls with regard to serum and plasma Zn concentration (SMD [(95 %CI): -1.61(-2.43, -0.79)]. There was a significant statistical difference between the breast tissue and hair as regards Zn status (SMD (95%CI): 2.32(1.42, 3.21)) and (SMD (95v%CI): -1.80(-3.41, -0.20), respectively. Zn concentration levels typically decreased in blood and hair samples of patients with breast cancer, whereas it was elevated in tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant relationship between lowered serum Zn concentrations and risk of breast cancer onset or recurrences in women, but because of high heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies.

Characterization and application of in-vacuum PIXE/EBS system for the direct elemental analysis of thick solid biological samples

Utilization of combined particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and elastic backscattering (EBS) spectrometry for the direct elemental analysis of thick solid biological samples was thoroughly discussed. Powdered samples pressed as pellets were directly analyzed. Combination of applying low ion beam currents, random scanning of the sample across the beam during data acquisition, and using special sample holder enabled effective minimization of local ion beam heating. This subsequently inhibited potential element loss during ion beam irradiation. Matrix elements were determined from multiple EBS spectra, which were acquired using three different ion beam energies. Subsequently, averaging of the elemental concentrations obtained was achieved using novel MultiSIMNRA software. Moreover, combined EBS spectrometry, nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) measurements were used to overcome the limitations of using EBS separately and subsequently obtain accurate matrix element concentrations. The validity of the PIXE/EBS system for the direct elemental analysis of thick biological samples was comprehensively evaluated. The obtained concentration values demonstrated reliable results for most investigated elements (5-15%), starting from sodium onwards. The non-satisfying results were evaluated and justified.

Serum and Hair Nickel Levels and Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Several studies have investigated the relationship between serum and hair nickel (Ni) concentration and breast cancer, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between serum and hair nickel levels and breast cancer. Nine studies determining the serum nickel levels and six studies evaluating the hair nickel levels were identified in a systematic search of PubMed, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Literature Service System databases. Based on a random-effects model, standard mean differences (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled to compare the nickel levels between different groups. Compared with healthy controls, the serum nickel levels in breast cancer were significantly higher (SMD (95% CI) 1.76 (0.82, 2.70)), as well as in those post-treated cases (SMD (95% CI) 2.56 (1.18, 3.94)). For breast cancer cases, the treatment made no significant decrease in serum nickel levels (SMD (95% CI) -0.29 (-1.17, 0.59)). In hair, the nickel levels in breast cancer were slightly higher than in controls, but not significant (SMD (95% CI) 0.16 (-1.08, 1.40)). In conclusion, high serum nickel levels were associated with breast cancer, and nickel exposure might be a risk factor for breast cancer.

Serum and hair zinc levels in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

Many studies have investigated the association between serum/hair zinc levels and breast cancer, but the results were inconsistent. To compare the serum and hair zinc levels in women with breast cancer and controls, we conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase to identify relevant studies with publication dates up through November 2014. Based on a random effects model, summary standard mean differences (SMDs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compare the serum and hair zinc levels in women with breast cancer and controls. Fourteen studies that investigated serum zinc levels and seven studies that assessed hair zinc levels were included. Our study observed no difference in serum zinc levels between breast cancer cases and controls (SMD (95%CI): -0.65[-1.42, 0.13]). However, we determined that hair zinc levels were lower in women with breast cancer compared with those of controls (SMD (95%CI): -1.99[-3.46, -0.52]). In conclusion, this study was the first to provide evidence that hair zinc levels in female breast cancer patients are lower than in controls; however, there was no significant difference in serum zinc levels between female breast cancer patients and controls.

Comparative Trace Elemental Analysis in Cancerous and Noncancerous Human Tissues Using PIXE

The effect of high or low levels of trace metals in human tissues has been studied widely. There have been detectable significant variations in the concentrations of trace metals in normal and cancerous tissues suggesting that these variations could be a causative factor to various cancers. Even though essential trace metals play an important role such as stabilizers, enzyme cofactors, elements of structure, and essential elements for normal hormonal functions, their imbalanced toxic effects contribute to the rate of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of complexities in the body cells which may lead to DNA damage. The induction of oxidative-induced DNA damage by ROS may lead to isolated base lesions or single-strand breaks, complex lesions like double-strand breaks, and some oxidative generated clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs) which are linked to cell apoptosis and mutagenesis. The difference in published works on the level of variations of trace metals in different cancer tissues can be attributed to the accuracy of the analytical techniques, sample preparation methods, and inability of taking uniform samples from the affected tissues. This paper reviews comparative trace elemental concentrations of cancerous and noncancerous tissues using PIXE that has been reported in the published literature.