Changes of erythrocyte element status of colectomysed cancerous patients: Retrospective study

Nowadays it has been established that metals and metal-induced oxidative stress act on signal transduction pathways, and are in association with cancer growth and spreading as well as in neurodegenerative disorders. In cases of several neurodegenerative diseases metals, especially Al, can be considered as a risk factor. Frequency of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment or "chemobrain" is mentioned to be significant in literature, although very little is known about the chemotherapy-caused chemobrain and its connection with metal homeostasis alteration. Dysregulation of metal homeostasis can be assumed as one of the key factors in the progression of neurodegeneration. Therefore we were interested in studying metal element status of 27 adult patients in 3 years after their colectomy, 22 outpatients and 10 healthy volunteers in both genders. Tumour markers, laboratory parameters and metal element concentrations were determined. We found significant difference among the Al concentrations in operated patients compared with controls. Redox active Fe and Cu levels were also elevated slightly in this patient group. P and S concentrations changed in different ways, and Ca levels were slightly lower, than in healthy controls. Because of all above mentioned, examination of metal homeostasis in cancerous patients is necessary to moderate the risk of chemobrain and other redox-related disorders.