Photo Credit: Shivendu Jauhari

The following is a summary of “Comparative study of trace metal concentration in the diagnosis of category III prostatitis,” published in the November 2024 issue of Urology by Lin et al. 

Chronic prostatitis (CP), especially category III, is common in urology. Trace metal abnormalities may play a key role, though contributions remain unclear. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to investigate trace metal abnormalities in category III prostatitis. 

They collected 42 expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) samples from IIIa patients with prostatitis, 42 from IIIb patients, and 45 from controls, along with 42 serum samples from IIIa patients, 45 from IIIb patients, and 50 from controls. Trace metal concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in EPS and serum were analyzed using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). 

The results showed significant differences in Zn, Ca, and Mg levels in serum and EPS of category III patients with prostatitis vs controls (P < 0.05). Cu levels were significantly altered in all EPS samples (P < 0.000). In IIIa prostatitis, Zn, Ca, and Mg in EPS and Ca in serum were reduced, while serum Zn was elevated (all P < 0.000). In IIIb prostatitis, Zn, Ca, and Mg in EPS were lower, serum Ca and Mg were reduced, and EPS Cu levels increased (all P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that Mg and Zn/Mg in EPS were good diagnostic markers for IIIa prostatitis (Area Under the ROC Curve(AUC) = 0.796, 0.791), while Cu and Cu/Ca in EPS were better for IIIb (AUC = 0.880, 0.901, respectively, all P < 0.0001).). 

They found significant abnormalities in Cu, Mg, Ca, and Zn concentrations in EPS and serum of category III patients with prostatitis. Mg, Cu, Zn/Mg, and Cu/Ca levels in EPS were potential diagnostic markers for the condition. 

Source: bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12894-024-01656-9