Intracellular Zinc Excess as One of the Main Factors in the Etiology of Prostate Cancer
Pages 124-131
Vladimir Zaichick, Sofia Zaichick and Sinclair Wynchank

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-7229.2016.05.03.5
Published: 10 August 2016

Abstract: Numerous studies show that prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa) drastically increases with age, these malignant tumours are mainly formed in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland, and a high intake of red meat is associated with a statistically significant elevation in risk of PCa. The factors which cause all these well-specified features of the PCa are currently unclear. Here we describe one factor which can play an important role in etiology of malignant transformation of the prostate and is connected with the above-mentioned features of PCa. It is hypothesized that the prostatic intracellular Zn concentrations are probably one of the most important factors in the etiology of PCa. For an endorsement of our standpoint the estimation of changes of intracellular Zn concentrations over males’ lifespan was obtained using morphometric and Zn content data for the peripheral zone of prostate tissue, as well as Zn concentration in prostatic fluid. It was shown that the Zn concentrations in prostatic cells for men aged over 45 years are 10-fold higher than in those aged 18 to 30 years and this excessive accumulation of Zn may disturb the cells’ functions, resulting in cellular degeneration, death or malignant transformation.We hypothesize this excessive intracellular Zn concentration in cells of the prostate gland periphery has previously unrecognized and most important consequences, associated with PCa.

One-Cell Analysis as a Technique for True Single-Cell Analysis of Organelles in Breast Tumor and Adjacent Normal Tissue to Profile Fatty Acid Composition of Triglyceride Species
Pages 47-54
Jason S. Hamilton and Guido F. Verbeck

DOI: http://dx.doi.org//10.6000/1927-7229.2016.05.02.1
Published: 06 May 2016

Abstract: Breast cancer develops in an adipose rich environment of normal adipocytes that are known to aid in tumor progression through an unknown method of lipid transfer from normal cells to tumor cells. Much research is built around lipid analysis of breast tumor and adjacent normal tissues to identify variations in the lipidome to gain an understanding of the role lipids play in progressing cancer. Ideally, single-cell analysis methods coupled to mass spectrometry that retain spatial information are best suited for this endeavor. However, many single-cell analysis methods are not capable of subcellular analysis of intact lipids while maintaining spatial information. One-Cell analysis is a true single-cell technique with the precision to extract single organelles from intact tissues while not interfering or disrupting adjacent cells. This method is used to extract and analyze single organelles from individual cells using nanomanipulation coupled to nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Presented here is a demonstration of the analysis of single lipid bodies from two different sets of breast tumor and normal adjacent tissues to elucidate the fatty acid composition of triglycerides using One-Cell analysis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. As a result, thirteen fatty acid species unique to the tumor tissues were identified, five in one set of tissues and eight in the other set.