Variations in Concentration and Distribution of Several Androgen-Dependent and Independent Trace Elements in Nonhyperplastic Prostate Gland Tissue throughout Adulthood

The variation with age of the Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentration in prostatic tissue and the relationship of these trace elements with basic histological structures of nonhyperplastic prostate glands of 65 subjects aged 21-87 years was investigated by an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M±SΕΜ) for the concentrations (mg/L) of these trace elements were: Br 7.89±0.93, Fe 22.2±1.2, Rb 3.49±0.18, Sr 0.43±0.08, and Zn 191±16. The significant trend for increase with age in Fe and Zn concentration as well as for increase with age in relative volume of stroma and decrease in relative volume of epithelium was found. Using the Pearson correlation between trace element concentration and morphometric parameters, it was demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Sr and Zn accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 21 to 87 years. It was concluded that the Sr and Zn bind tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid. For ages above 40 years conclusive evidence of a disturbance in prostatic intracellular homeostasis of Fe was also shown.