Modern Chemistry & Applications

Abstract

Effect of Chemotherapy on Zn, Fe, Mg, Pb, Ca and Se in the Serum

Hasan A

Trace element concentrations in blood serum are very important in various carcinomas. However, the literature lacks in studies of the relationship between the trace element concentrations and cancer types. The present study analyzes blood serums from 40 patients with throat, stomach and lung cancers by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after low-volume microwave digestion. 7 elements were investigated: Se, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Pb, and Zn. The elements were categorized into macro elements (Ca, Mg, K) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Se) for human blood. The mixture of HClO₄:HNO₃:H₂SO₄ was selected for analyzing the trace elements in serums taken from cancer patients. The digested blood serums of pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy were analyzed to investigate the effect of chemotherapy on amounts of trace elements. Decreases were observed in amounts of the essential trace elements except Pb for post-chemotherapy by time, as biochemical reactions were catalyzed by many enzymes and proteins. Certain changes must be made in the scientific approach in cancer therapy. Such changes in treatment of the patient with cancer should include continuous treatment of each patient individually according to the results obtained.