Levels of 43 Trace Elements in Hyperplastic Human Prostate

Aims: The aim of this exploratory study was to clarify the differences between the prostatic levels of trace elements in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy male inhabitants.

Methodology: We prospectively evaluated the prostatic levels of 43 trace elements in 32 patients with BPH and 32 healthy males. Measurements were performed using instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results: In the hyperplastic prostates a significant increase in the mean level of Bi, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Se and a significant decrease in the mean level of Ce, Cs, Dy, Er, Gd, Ho, La, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Sm, Sn, Tb, Tm, U, and Y was observed. It was not found any differences in the mean prostatic level of Ag, Al, Au, B, Be, Br, Cd, Co, Fe, Li, Mn, Nb, Ni, Rb, Sc, Th, Ti, Tl, Yb, Zn, and Zr between BPH-patients and healthy males.

Conclusion: Present study finding of trace element contents and correlation between pairs of trace element mass fractions indicates that there is a great disturbance of prostatic trace element metabolism in BPH gland. Obtained data did not confirm a critical role of Cd and Pb accumulation in the pathogenesis of BPH. A potential age-related Zn, Fe, and Se deficiency in the prostate has not been found as being involved in the etiology of BPH. This work data cast doubts on a beneficial effect of the Zn, Fe, and Se supplementations on BPH prevention and treatment. Additional studies of other chemical elements in BPH are planned.