The value of serum zinc, copper, ceruloplasmin levels in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Gastrointestinal cancers are frequent diseases of particular importance for surgeons with regard to their management and follow-up. Neoplastic diseases activate antioxidant defense systems. As a result, concentrations of redoxal enzymes and their co-factor elements appear to change. The levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and ceruloplasmin have been found to be critical parameters. In addition, it seems to be important to consider the Cu/Zn ratio in such cases. In this study, changes in the levels of Cu, Zn and ceruloplasmin in patients with gastrointestinal system cancers was evaluated, and the proportion of Cu to Zn (Cu/Zn) is discussed.

METHODS:

In this clinical trial, levels of Cu and Zn were defined with calorimetric methods and ceruloplasmin levels were measured with immunohistochemical methods in a control group of 20 healthy individuals and in 25 patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal system cancer. The blood samples were taken preoperatively in gastrointestinal system cancer patients.

RESULTS:

This study has shown that while the decrease in Zn levels and the increase in ceruloplasmin levels in patients with gastrointestinal system cancers were found to be significant (p<0. 001, p=0. 014) when compared to the control group, the increase in the level of Cu was also found to be significant (p=0. 019). In the patient group, the correlations between serum Cu and serum ceruloplasmin proved to be significant (r=991, p<0. 001). The Cu/Zn ratio, when compared with Zn, ceruloplasmin and Cu, showed significant results (r= 0. 562, r= 0. 500, r=0. 506, p<0. 001).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows that serum Cu, Zn and ceruloplasmin levels show changes in gastrointestinal system cancers, but further research is needed to demonstrate the importance and significance of these parameters and their relation with other contributing neoplastic factors.

• Authors: Alper Boz, Osman Evliyaoğlu, Mehmet Yildirim, Nazif Erkan, Baysal Karaca
• Journal: The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology (Turk J Gastroenterol) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 81-4 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 1300-4948 [Print] Turkey
• PMID: 16252197 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Copper
• Ceruloplasmin
• Zinc

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• Calorimetry
• Ceruloplasmin (metabolism)
• Copper (blood)
• Digestive System Surgical Procedures
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Neoplasms (blood, surgery)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
• Prognosis
• Zinc (blood)