Shahab Jahanloo Ar, Keshavarz A, Shahab Jahanloo Hr, Jahani J ,
Volume 58, Issue 3 (7 2000)
Abstract
Zinc has an important role in skin health and its deficiency reduces immunity. To evaluate levels of Zinc in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of skin, we studied 44 BCC and 38 SCC cases together with 33 controls. Blood samples were taken and after separation of serum, levels of Zinc, albumin and total protein were measured by atomic absorption, albumin kit and reflectometer consecutively. Serum globulin levels were stimated by substracting albumin from total protein levels. Zinc levels were significantly lower in cancer cases than control (P<0.001). Mean serum albumin of BCC cases was significantly more than controls (P<0.01), but in BCC cases was not significantly different. Significant correlations were seen between levels of serum Zinc and albumin of SCC (R=0.507, P<0.01) and BCC (R=0.43, P<0.01) patients and controls (R=0.35, P<0.01). Mean globulin levels in cancer cases were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01). We concluded that serum Zinc and globulin levels decrease in BCC and SCC of skin.
