Trace elements and superoxide dismutase in benign and malignant breast diseases

This study was planned to determine the probable changes in trace element levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in women with neoplastic breast diseases. Measurements were performed in three different groups. The first group consisted of 20 healthy women, control group, the second group contained 16 patients with benign breast disease and the third group contained 39 patients with malignant breast disease. The trace element concentrations were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and SOD activity by using spectrophotometry. When compared with the control values, the plasma copper levels were slightly increased in the second group and significantly in the third group (p < 0.001). The difference between the benign and malignant groups was also significant (p < 0.001). The red cell copper values showed a marked decrease in both groups (p < 0.001). Although there were increases in the plasma zinc levels of both patient groups, the differences were not significant statistically. But, the red cell zinc values showed an significant increase in benign and malignant patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001) (p < 0.001). The plasma magnesium and red cell magnesium values did not show significant differences. The red cell SOD activity showed an significant increase in the benign and malignant patient groups (p < 0.001). The results of this study suggested that reactive oxygen metabolites may play a pathogenetic role in both benign and malignant tumor development, which is reflected by the change in SOD activity, and in trace element concentrations.