Serum gonadotropins, cortisol, PSA, and micronutrient levels among men with prostate carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer (PrCa) is a malignant tumour of the prostate that has many associated risk factors. There is continuous rise in the incidence among adult blacks which is a reflection of racial differences in testosterone concentrations. Methods: The study involves 50 PrCa patients attending or referred to two tertiary health Institutions and 25 healthy men as controls. Weight and height of participants were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Ten millilitres of venous blood sample was collected from each participant, allowed to clot, and then centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min at room temperature (22–28 °C) to obtain the serum. Serum cortisol, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA), free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA), selenium, copper, magnesium, and zinc were determined. Prostate ultrasonography and biopsy were also done for histopathological studies. Result: From this study, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in weight, BMI, serum FPSA, TPSA, and copper; a non-significant increase (p > 0.05) in serum cortisol, testosterone; a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum LH, selenium, zinc, and magnesium; and a non-significant decrease (p > 0.05) in serum FSH were observed among people living with PrCa when compared to the controls. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the height between the two groups. Ultrasonography and histology revealed evidence of prostatitis, hypertrophy, and carcinoma among the test group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that PrCa is associated with increase serum cortisol, testosterone, and copper; and decreased serum LH, FSH, selenium, zinc, and magnesium concentrations and combination of biochemical, ultrasonographic, and histologic features are of diagnostic importance.