Evaluation of serum uric acid /inorganic phosphate ratio in prostate disorders and healthy controls

Abstract

Aims and Objectives : Prostate cancer (PC), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis are the most common disorders of prostate gland. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), the marker of prostate cancer has shown reasonable sensitivity but has limited specificity for distinguishing PC from BPH. Oxidative stress has been implicated in etiopathogenesis of age related disorders like PC and BPH. Calcium ions act as a risk factor in development of cancer and aging disorders, however studies on the role of phosphate ions, a key element of DNA is sparse. This study attempts to evaluate the serum uric acid, an antioxidant and phosphate in prostate disorders diagnosed by elevated PSA levels in serum and compare the ratio with that of healthy subjects. Methodology : PSA, uric acid and phosphate were estimated in serum of 75 patients with prostate disorders and55 age matched normal males. Mann Whitney test was used to study the statistical difference between the cases and controls. Results: PSA was significantly high in prostate disorders compared to normal subjects. PSA levels were significantly high in PC compared to other prostate disorders. Phosphate and uric acid levels were significantly low in normal subjects compared to patients. Serum uric acid phosphate ratio was markedly high in prostatitis followed by BPH and PC patients.It was found to be least in normals. Conclusion: The significantly lower uric acid to phosphate ratio in normal subjects may probably assign the role of phosphate and uric acid as diagnostic marker in prostate disorders.