Zinc, vitamin A and prostatic cancer

The serum zinc, vitamin A, albumin, copper and retinoid-binding protein content was measured in 27 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 19 patients with carcinoma of the prostate. A significantly lower (P = less than 0.05) level of serum zinc was found in the cancer group as well as a significant zinc/vitamin A correlation (P = less than 0.05). The possible significance of this in relation to the pathogenesis of carcinoma of the prostate is discussed.