Chemical Elemental Content/Calcium Ratios in Tissues of Human Hyperplastic Prostate Gland

Aims: The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant deficiencies in the prostatic tissue levels of Ca and Mg, as androgen dependent chemical elements, and Br, K, Mn, and Na, as androgen independent chemical elements, exist in patients with BPH.

Methodology: It was prospectively evaluated prostatic tissue levels of these chemical elements in 27 patients with BPH and 37 healthy male inhabitants. Measurements were performed using instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides. Beside the measurements of Br, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, and Na mass fraction the calculations of Br/Ca, K/Ca, Mg/Ca, Mn/Ca, and Na/Ca mass fraction ratios were also performed.

Results: There was no found significant difference in levels of Br, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Na contents between BPH and intact prostate. In the hyperplastic prostates, we have only observed a significant increase in value of K mass fraction (p<0.0014) and K/Ca mass fraction ratio (p<0.042).

Conclusion: The potential role of age-related chemical elements deficiency in the prostate was not confirmed as being involved in the etiology of BPH. It was hypothesized that not only a high level of some chemical elements, but also a great disturbance in the relationships of chemical elements in prostate tissue may serve as a pathogenetic factor of BPH.