Serum zinc, copper, and chromium concentration in normal subjects and surgical patients with cancer in Siriraj Hospital

Abstract

Zince, copper, and chromium are essential trace elements. In this study, serum zinc, copper, and chromium concentrations were determined in 60 healthy subjects and 44 surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). It was found that serum zinc, copper, and chromium in healthy subjects were 84.58+-16.21 microgram/dl, 89.08+-16.94 microgram/dl, and 0.47+-0.15 microgram/l, respectively. Serum zinc, copper, and chromium of the entire population of cancer patients before operation were 86.58+-46.97 microgram/dl, 152.95+-51.81 microgram/dl, and 0.26+-0.14 microgram/l, respectively. On the first day after operation, their levels were 62.70+-52.46 microgram/dl, 128.35+-44.68 microgram/dl, and 0.14+-0.08 microgram/l, respectively. Seven days after operation, serum zinc, copper, and chromium were 82.70+-62.49 microgram/dl, 144.38+-42.60 microgram/dl, and 0.21+-0.10 microgram/l, respectively. The cancer patients werecategorized into 3 groups according to aggressiveness and prognosis of the disease. Serum zince of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 94.16+-53.12 microgram/dl, 95.92+-37.64 microgram/dl, and 66.88+-42.13 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum copper of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 127.63+-31.35 microgram/dl, 137.08+-38.70 microgram/dl, and 204.62+-51.10 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum chromium of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 0.29+-0.14 microgram/l, 0.23+-0.15 microgram/l, and 0.25+-0.12 microgram/l, respectively. The cancer patients were also catagorized into 3 groups according to the extent of surgery. Serum zinc on the first day after operation (Day 1) of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 65.45+-38.55 microgram/dl, 64.95+-60.51 microgram/dl, and 56.25+-51.84 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum copper on Day 1 of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 142.95+-33.70 microgram/dl, 140.95+-45.25 microgram/dl, and 92.92+-34.11 microgram/dl, respectively. Serum chromium on Day 1 of patients in group 1, 2, and 3 were 0.11+-0.05 microgram/l, 0.16+-0.09 microgram/l, and 0.14+-0.08 microgram/l, respectively. The results demonstrated that serum zinc of cancer patients was not significant different from normal subjects (p>0.05). However, the lowest concentration was found in patients of group 3 (hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, cancer head of pancreas, and cancer ampulla of vater). Serum copper of cancer patients in all disease groups were significantly higher than normal subjects (p<0.05) and highest in patients of groups 3, whereas serum chromium of cancer patients in all disease groups were significantly lower than normal subjects (p<0.05). Serum zinc on the first day after operation (Day 1) of patients in surgery group 1 and 3 were significantly lower than the day before operation (Day 0) (p<0.05). Serum copper and chromium on Day 1 in all surgery groups of patients were significantly lower than Day 0 (p<0.05)