Abstract

Purpose: Study the role of minerals in gastric carcinogenesis.
Materials and methods: Three hundred blood samples were used to analyze the status of concentration of Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) in gastric cancer (GC) patients and healthy individuals by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) decline in the concentration of Se in serum samples of GC patients as on comparison with the healthy individuals and comparison within the genders among GC patients the level of Se concentration remained insignificant. Concentration of Cu of GC patients was increased significantly (p<0.05) on comparison with the healthy individuals and on comparison within the genders among GC patients there was a significant (p<0.05) decline in the concentration of Cu in male on comparison with the female group, There was a significant (p<0.05) decline in the concentration of Zn in GC patients on comparison with the healthy individuals. Within genders among GC patients the level of Zn concentration remained insignificant p>0.05. Level of difference of Fe remain insignificant (p>0.05) in serum of GC patients and within gender among GC patients. There was a significant decline in the concentration of Se and Zn while high level of serum copper in gastric cancer patients, as compared with normal healthy controls.
Conclusion: There is an association between serum selenium, zinc and copper with cancer gastric cancer, so increase or decrease in above minerals may be one of the factors which can lead to the gastric cancer.

Keywords: Gastric cancer (GC); Serum minerals; Selenium (Se); Copper (Cu); Zinc (Zn); Iron (Fe)