Metallothionein and zinc level in breast cancer

Metallothioneins are intracellular proteins binding metal ions. Additionall y, these proteins are involved in the protection of the cell against free r adicals and control the resistance of the cell against pharmacological agen ts. In the paper the level of metallothioneins and the content of zinc in breas t cancer and in the control tissue were determined. In the obtained materia l the metallothionein level was determined by cadmium-hemoglobin method, us ing Du Pont Cd-109 isotope. The value of zinc was determined by means of at omic absorption spectrophotometry. It was discovered that the level of zinc and metallothioneins is higher in breast cancer tissues. Both the control as well as breast cancer tissues presented a high correlation coefficient w ithin the studied parameters.