Evaluation of zinc status in whole blood and scalp hair of female cancer patients.

Background: Zinc is essential for all life forms and plays a vital role in human nutrition and biochemical functions. Epidemiologic studies suggest that zinc deficiency may be associated with increased risk of cancer.

Methods: We measured the concentration of Zn in whole blood and scalp hair of female patients with breast and ovarian cancers from different cities of Pakistan. Sixty-five patients (30-60 y) and 50 healthy subjects of the same age groups were included. Both controlled and study group female patients were of same socio-economic status, localities and dietary habits. The scalp hair and whole blood samples were oxidized by mixture of 65% nitric acid: 30% hydrogen peroxide (2:1) ratio in microwave oven, to reduce the conventional wet acid digestion period. The proposed method was validated by certified sample of human hair BCR 397 and Clincheck control-lyophilized human whole blood. The all digested samples were analyzed for Zn concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).

Results: There was a significant decrease in mean total of Zn in whole blood and scalp hair samples of both cancer groups of patients compared to a controlled healthy female group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: There is an association of Zn with biological samples in different types of cancer in females.