Association of serum zinc, selenium, nickel, cobalt and prostate-specific antigen levels with prostate cancer: a case-control study

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in men, with growing incidence in Nigeria. While prostate-specific antigen (PSA) remains the primary screening tool, its limited specificity necessitates exploration. Zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) have been implicated in carcinogenesis, but their roles in PCa among Nigerian men remain under researched. To evaluate the association between serum Zn, Se, Ni, Co and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in histologically confirmed PCa. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted among 81 men presenting with bladder outlet obstruction in two Nigerian hospitals. Forty-one patients with histologically confirmed PCa and 40 with benign prostatic disease (controls). Serum Zn, Se, Ni and Co levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and PSA was determined via standard immunoassay. Demographic and biochemical data were analyzed. Results: PSA was significantly elevated in PCa patients (18±5 ng/ml) versus controls (2±1 ng/ml, p<0.001). PCa patients had lower Zn (0.34±0.66 vs. 0.79±0.42 µg/ml, p<0.001) and Co (0.015±0.010 vs. 0.20±0.36 µg/ml, p<0.001), while Ni was higher (0.52±0.42 vs. 0.30±0.08 µg/ml) but not statistically significant (p=0.600). Se levels were slightly lower in PCa (0.14±0.07 µg/ml) compared to controls (0.17±0.07 µg/ml), without statistical significance (p=0.073). Conclusions: PCa in Nigerian men is associated with PSA elevation, reduced serum Zn and Co and a trend toward higher Ni and lower Se. Zn depletion aligns with established literature, whereas reduced Co represents a novel observation warranting further study. Trace element profiling, alongside PSA, may enhance detection of PCa.