Role of Zinc in the Pathogenesis of Prostate Cancer
Abstract
Incidence rates of prostate cancer are higher in blacks than in any other racial group. Our laboratory is attempting to decipher the environmental and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of prostate cancer in blacks. It is hypothesized that Africans may have genetically down-regulated their zinc absorption capacity; otherwise, they would absorb abnormally high levels of zinc, resulting in various serious neurodegenerative disorders. We hypothesized that people of African origin may have a lower capacity to absorb zinc when compared with other racial groups because of their inherent down-regulation of zinc transporters. This notion was tested by evaluating 58 prostate cancer tissues in 2 major racial groups (30 from whites and from blacks) for their ability to express 2 major human zinc transporters, hzIPl and hzIP2. In all 30 prostate cancer specimens obtained from white people, the degree of expression of these 2 zinc receptors was high when compared with age-matched specimens obtained from blacks. These data are being confirmed in larger groups by utilizing zinc indicators that measure the actual intracellular zinc levels in the prostate tissues. This finding could have significant application as a preventive maneuver for at least some people. Because dietary zinc supplements are relatively nontoxic, any efficacy trial would be low-risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425063
Entities
People
- Omar Bagasra
Organizations
- Claflin University