Serum and pleural fluid selenium, copper, zinc, and magnesium levels in malignant and nonmalignant pleural diseases.

摘要

In the present study, selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) levels in serum and pleural fluid from patients with malignant and nonmalignant pleural diseases were measured and compared with serum concentrations in healthy subjects. Serum/pleural fluid ratios were also calculated for each element. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of trace metals, especially Se, in neoplastic and nonneoplastic pleural diseases. Serum Cu and Mg levels were significantly higher in both malignant and nonmalignant groups of patients when compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). However, serum levels of these elements did not show a significant difference between malignant and nonmalignant cases (p > 0.05). The serum/pleural fluid ratio of Zn was significantly lower in patients with malignant effusions than in benign conditions (p = 0.05). Serum and pleural fluid Se, Cu, Zn and Mg levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Thus, Se, Cu, Zn, andMg seem to have no diagnostic value for distinguishing malignant from nonmalignant effusions.