Relation between selenium plasma levels and different prostatic pathologies

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated an inverse relation between serum selenium levels (Se) and advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Objective: To determine and compare selenium plasma levels in patients with different prostatic pathologies. Material and methods: It is a transversal, descriptive and comparative study. A sample of 64 men between 50 and 80 years old were selected for the study between 2007 and 2009. All volunteers underwent a digital rectal examination, prostate specific antigen level, ultrasound and transrectal prostate biopsy (1214 chips). Prostate cancer was subclassified according to Gleason Score. Selenium was determined indirectly by serum Glutathione peroxidase (Kit Ransel, Randox SRL, Crumlin, UK). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA I (p<0.05). Results: Glutathione Peroxidase level was 33.75±2.36 mg/ml in control patients. A decrease of 31.6% was observed in patients with BPH (23.08±1.57 mg/ml) and of (63.6%) in subjects with prostate cancer (12.28±1.03 mg/ml) (p<0,0001). There was no correlation with the Gleason Score. Conclusion: Serum Seleniun is lower in patients with prostatic pathologies being even more important in cancer patients regardless the Gleason Score.