Determination of the distribution of zinc and cadmium in cellular fractions of BPH, normal prostate and prostatic cancers of different histologies by atomic and laser absorption spectrometry in tissue slices.

The distribution of Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd) was analyzed in nuclear, mitochondrial and cytosol cellular fractions of prostatic carcinoma of different histological grading, BPH and normal prostate by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Distinct differences in Zn and Cd concentration in carcinomatous material in comparison with BPH and normal prostates was found. The highest concentration of Cd and the lowest level of Zn were found in poorly differentiated carcinomas. The results in cellular fractions were compared with investigations on Zn and Cd distribution in prostatic slices by laser AAS.