Trace elements influence several key biological events including cell cycle regulation, processes involved in replication or transcription, inhibition or activation of enzymic reactions, immunocompetence, antioxidant effects, cellular mutations, generation of free radicals, DNA damage, DNA repair inhibition, and modulation of nuclear transcription factors. Thus, trace minerals are involved in all major metabolic pathways and are of fundamental importance in human physiology. The extremely low concentrations of trace elements and their diversity imply that their molecular effect is very specific and that they may not be substituted for one another.
Trace elements undoubtedly play an essential role in a
number of biological processes, but even more important is the fact that their
functional forms and their characteristic concentrations must be maintained
within narrow limits. With changing lifestyle patterns and environmental
conditions human beings have become vulnerable to either a deficit or an excess
of available trace elements. This trace elemental imbalance is postulated to
exert action, directly or indirectly, on the carcinogenic process. This book
provides insights into the role played by trace elements in the initiation,
promotion and inhibition of cancer. The metabolic roles of these trace elements
in humans and the mechanisms by which they influence the carcinogenic process
are presented and discussed in this textbook.
Author (s) Details
Dr. G. J. Naga Raju
JNTU-GV CEV, Vizianagaram 535 003, India.
Dr. P. Sarita
GITAM University, Visakhapatnam 530 045, India.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49729-10-0
