BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to compare the zinc and molybdenum contents of nails in two populations at high and low risk for esophageal cancer in northern Iran. METHODS: Four groups were studied including a control group in Tehran--a low-risk area (n=20); a group of patients with esophageal cancer from Sari--a moderate- risk region in northern Iran (n=20); a group of patients' family members (n=20); and a control group in Sari (n=40). Molybdenum and zinc levels were measured in their nail samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: Both molybdenum and Zinc were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the Sari control group (molybdenum: 0.472 ppm, zinc: 173.0 ppm) compared with the Tehran control group (molybdenum: 0.740 ppm, zinc: 251.5 ppm). These elements were lower in content in patients with esophageal cancer (molybdenum: 0.283 ppm, zinc: 126.5 ppm) compared with the Sari control group (P<0.05 for molybdenum and P<0.001 for zinc). Only zinc was significantly (P<0.001) lower in patients compared with their family members (molybdenum: 0.456 ppm, zinc: 175.5 ppm). No differences were found between the Sari control group and the patients' family members in any of the two elements. CONCLUSION: Zinc and molybdenum levels are much lower in north of Iran--a moderate- risk area for esophageal cancer--compared with Tehran--a low-risk area. Based on these results, more investigations on the relations of trace elements with esophageal cancer in high-risk areas in northern Iran are warranted.
BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to compare the zinc and molybdenum contents of nails in two populations at high and low risk for esophageal cancer in northern Iran. METHODS: Four groups were studied including a control group in Tehran--a low-risk area (n=20); a group of patients with esophageal cancer from Sari--a moderate- risk region in northern Iran (n=20); a group of patients' family members (n=20); and a control group in Sari (n=40). Molybdenum and zinc levels were measured in their nail samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: Both molybdenum and Zinc were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the Sari control group (molybdenum: 0.472 ppm, zinc: 173.0 ppm) compared with the Tehran control group (molybdenum: 0.740 ppm, zinc: 251.5 ppm). These elements were lower in content in patients with esophageal cancer (molybdenum: 0.283 ppm, zinc: 126.5 ppm) compared with the Sari control group (P<0.05 for molybdenum and P<0.001 for zinc). Only zinc was significantly (P<0.001) lower in patients compared with their family members (molybdenum: 0.456 ppm, zinc: 175.5 ppm). No differences were found between the Sari control group and the patients' family members in any of the two elements. CONCLUSION: Zinc and molybdenum levels are much lower in north of Iran--a moderate- risk area for esophageal cancer--compared with Tehran--a low-risk area. Based on these results, more investigations on the relations of trace elements with esophageal cancer in high-risk areas in northern Iran are warranted.
Authors: Maryam Hashemian; Gwen Murphy; Arash Etemadi; Hossein Poustchi; John D Brockman; Farin Kamangar; Akram Pourshams; Masoud Khoshnia; Abdolsamad Gharavi; Sanford M Dawsey; Paul J Brennan; Paolo Boffetta; Azita Hekmatdoost; Reza Malekzadeh; Christian C Abnet Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2017-11-10 Impact factor: 4.452
Authors: Enrique Gutiérrez-González; Esther García-Esquinas; Nerea Fernández de Larrea-Baz; Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido; Ana Navas-Acien; Virginia Lope; José Luis Gómez-Ariza; Roberto Pastor; Marina Pollán; Beatriz Pérez-Gómez Journal: Environ Res Date: 2019-10-07 Impact factor: 8.431