Tobacco Documents Online

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I AN ANALYSIS OF SEVEN METAL ELEMENTS IN LUNG CANCER TISSUES IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA POPULATION Zhong Sai-xian, Chai Cheng-keng, Zhao Zhen-xin and Chen Cheng-zhang Department of Environmental Health, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China The role of metal elements in the development of cancer has been a matter of concern in recent years. We have made an analysis of seven metal elements (Mn, Mg, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu) contained in the lungs of 10 lung cancer patients (observed group) and 10 normal subjects (control group) from the Guangzhou population, using an atomic absorption spectrometer. (Table 1) From the data, it can be seen that, among the 7 metal elements measured in the observed group, 3 metals (Mn, Mg, Zn) were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). We believe that some metal elements might play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and that the sources of these elements in our bodies might be quite different. Some of them, for example, Mn, Cd and Ni, might arise from atmospheric pollution and others, such as Zn and Cu might be related to our dietary habits. Table 1. Comparison of the Concentrations (µg/g. x ± SD) of Seven Metal Elements In Lung Tissue of Lung Cancer Patients and Normal Subjects FJemmUr:.. G.a Mo. . Mg.._ ....Zn,. CA 4'- `Ni Ivng Csncer 10 3.35 ± 1.88 406.0 ± 136.8 115.0 ± 97.5 0.89 t 0.90 0.75 t 0.37 0,47 t 0.19 7.75 2 5.52 C®t] 10 L68 f 1.2 254.6 t 126 ] 50 2 1.59 0.62 2 0.3 0.70 2 0.27 0.26 t 0.17 4.94 t 1.99 P-Vehw <0.05 <0.0! <0.05 >0.05 >0.05 >0.05 >0.05 I