Intracellular calcium excess as one of the main factors in the etiology of prostate cancer

Numerous studies show that prostate cancer (PCa) incidence drastically increases with age, these malignant tumours are mainly formed in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland, and a high intake of calcium rich dairy products is associated with an increased risk of PCa. The main objective of this study was to identify a potential common pathophysiological factor associated with the PCa features mentioned above. We performed measurements of the intracellular Ca concentrations in the peripheral zones of nonhyperplastic prostate glands of 99 males aged 0-87 years. To clarify the age-related changes in the intracellular Ca, a quantitative morphometric and two analytical methods of Ca determination were employed. We found, that in 18-45 years old males intracellular Ca was maintained at a relatively high concentration, which steadily increased with age. The intracellular Ca accumulation increased after the age of 45. We found, that by the age of 55, Ca level in the prostatic cells of the peripheral zone reached concentration, which is two-to-four-fold higher than in the 18 year olds. Age-dependent accumulation of Ca in the peripheral zone of human prostate gland has been previously unrecognized and could play an important role in the etiology of PCa.