Some Trace Element Contents and Ratios in Prostatic Fluids as Ancillary Diagnostic Tools in Distinguishing between the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Chronic Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis (CP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an internationally important health problem of the man. The association between CP and BPH is significant. This warrants the need of reliable diagnostic tool which has ability to differentiate CP from the BPH. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant difference in the contents of Zn and some other trace elements as well as in the Zn/trace elements ratios of prostatic fluid exist between the inflamed and hyperplastic prostate. Prostatic fluid levels of Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn were prospectively evaluated and Zn/Br, Zn/Fe, Zn/Rb, and Zn/Sr ratios were calculated in 52 patients with BPH and 33 patients with CP. Measurements were performed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis. It was found that in the prostatic fluid samples of BPH group the levels of Zn/Br, Zn/Fe, and Zn/Rb are 3.39, 2.56, and 2.69 times, respectively, higher than levels of these parameters of patients with CP. It was supposed that the changes of Zn/Br, Zn/Fe, and Zn/Rb ratios in the prostatic fluid samples can be used as markers in distinguishing between CP and BPH.

Keywords: Chronic Prostatitis; Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Prostatic fluid; Trace element contents; Trace element ratios; Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis.