Canonical analysis of concentrations of toxic metals in endometrium of women with gynecological disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Among the main adverse environmental factors, we usually distinguish the impact of heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb. Apart from the carcinogenic and toxic properties, their potential, stimulating estrogen receptors effect (metaloestrogens) is strongly emphasized; as well as participation in gene regulation mechanisms (epigenetic). The aim of this study is to examine if there is a special scheme of concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in the female endometrium in certain pathologies: endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, endometrial polyps and miscarriages. The control group consisted of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding or functional bleeding with correct histopathological findings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 92 women. Microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to assess metals concentrations in tissue material and the results of obtained concentrations were converted to μg/kg. The calculations were performed using discriminant and canonical analyses and revealed four discriminant functions.

RESULTS: The results showed that metal's tissue concentrations vary in different types of histopathological diagnosis and the scheme of concentrations might be characteristic for analyzed diagnosis. Pb and Al has the most substantial impact on discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS: Endometrium may accumulate toxic metals such as: Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr. It can be assumed that there are characteristic distributions of toxic metals concentrations for individual histopathological diagnoses.