Prostate specific antigen in sulfur mustard exposed persons

Background Oxidants and inflammation agents are predisposing factors for the development and progression of prostate cancer. As a chemical warfare weapon, sulfur mustard (SM) can causes cancer through various ways such as increased production of oxidants and inflammation. Due to high incidence of cancer in SM victims, concentration of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in SM victims was evaluated and compared with control group.Materials and methods Serum concentration of PSA in 150 male SM victims (exposed to SM in Iraq-Iran war, 30 years ago) and 150 males in control group was measured and compared by ELISA method. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software.Results Decreasing concentration of PSA in SM victims in compare with control group was observed (0.728 vs 0.844 ng/ml, p-value: 0.103). The chemical victims group consumed N-acetylcysteine.conclusion As oxidation and inflammation effects of SM, PSA concentration was likely to be increase in SM victims, but an opposite result was observed. Consumption of N-acetylcysteine (an anti-inflammatory agent), mild exposure and the short period elapsed from exposure to SM may be the reasons for this result. However, future more accurate studies on these subjects with respect to cancer seem to be necessary.

Keywords:

Prostate Specific Antigen , Sulfur mustard , Oxidant agents , N- acetylcysteine