Zinc and magnesium in human prostate gland: normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic.

Abstract

Summary Using histochemical and biochemical (atomic absorption spectrophotometer) methods, a study of normal prostate glands disclosed a fundamental difference in distribution of zinc in the various zones and a significant difference in concentration in pathologic conditions. Magnesium in the normal prostate showed a uniform distribution and concentration, and both elements (Zn++ and Mg++), especially zinc, showed multifold increases in concentration in the hyperplastic glands. In carcinoma, zinc was present in cell nuclei corresponding to nucleolar position, and chemically the content was low. Magnesium was not demonstrable histochemically in carcinoma, and the chemical assay showed lower concentration than in hyperplastic tissue. The most significant findings were the chemical and histochemical comparable multifold increases of zinc and magnesium in the hyperplastic gland. In addition, there was a marked decrease of zinc histochemically and chemically in carcinoma, while the chemical assays for magnesium disclosed a minimal decrease; this element was not demonstrable histochemically in cancer tissues.