Application of PIXE analysis to determination of trace elements in colonic tumor disease

Abstract

In order to investigate the validity of the cancer development, the presence of active oxygen need to be taken into account since active oxygen participates in the initiation and promotion of cancer. However, it is impossible to measure the amount of active oxygen in vivo directly. Therefore, the levels of trace elements such as Zn, Cu and Mn in enzyme which eliminates active oxygen were measured at each stage of cancer development by PIXE. The large differences between the normal mucosa and colonic adenoma in the amount of Zn, Cu and Mn within the enzyme eliminating free radicals were observed. There was a significant relationship among trace element levels, active oxygen and the development of tumor in connection with the levels of Zinc and Copper.