Metallothioneins and microelements in brain tumours

Metallothioneins take part in the homeostasis of the ions of the metals which are necessary for the proper metabolism of the organism (zinc, copper), biosynthesis regulation of the zinc containing proteins. They also take part in the detoxication of metals from the tissues. Besides,they protect the tissue from the effects of free radicals, radiation, electrophilic pharmacologic agents used in the cancer therapy and from mutagens. The experimental materials were brain astrocytomas, benign gliomas (astrocytoma G-2) and malignant gliomas (glioblastoma multiforme GM-4). The levels of the metallothionein were determined by cadmium-hemoglobin affinity assay using the cadmium isotope (109Cd). The value of zinc and copper were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In our studies, the level of metallothioneins in the group of malignant neoplasms was slightly higher than the level of these proteins in the group of benign neoplasms. There was a statistical difference, but there is no significant difference in the levels of copper between malignant and benign groups.