Blood molybdenum level as a marker of cancer risk on BRCA1 carriers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Molybdenum blood level is a marker of cancer risk on BRCA1 carriers. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 989 initially unaffected women with a BRCA1 mutation. Blood samples were collected to measure molybdenum levels, and participants were followed for an average of 7.5 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between blood molybdenum levels and cancer incidence, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: High blood molybdenum levels (> 0.70 µg/L) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer (HR = 5.55; 95%CI: 1.59-19.4; p = 0.007) and any cancer (HR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.17-2.61; p = 0.007) but not breast cancer (HR = 1.46, CI = 0.91-2.33; p = 0.12). The cumulative incidence of ovarian cancer at ten years was 1.2% for the lowest molybdenum tertile, 4.2% for the middle tertile, and 8.7% for the highest tertile. CONCLUSION: Elevated blood molybdenum levels are associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer on BRCA1 mutation carriers. Lowering molybdenum levels may potentially reduce cancer risk in this population, and high molybdenum levels could serve as a marker for considering preventive oophorectomy in BRCA1 carriers. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore interventions targeting molybdenum levels as a preventive measure for ovarian cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

Blood arsenic levels and the risk of familial breast cancer in Poland.

Arsenic is recognized as a potent carcinogen at high concentrations, but the relationship between environmental arsenic and breast cancer risk has not well been studied. Most research has focused on the effect of arsenic in populations with high endemic exposure, and not in populations with arsenic levels within normal limits. We sought to determine if blood arsenic levels predict the risk of breast and other cancers risk among women in northern Poland. The cohort consisted of 1,702 healthy women, aged 40 and above, identified between 2010 and 2017. Blood arsenic level was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. After an average of 4.5 years of follow-up (range 0.7-7.3 years), there were 110 incident cases of cancer diagnosed in the cohort, including 68 cases of breast cancer. Women in the highest quartile of arsenic had a highly significant 13-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer, compared to women in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR] = 13.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.02-43.0). Results were similar for arsenic and all incident cancers (HR quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 = 13.3; 95% CI 4.78-37.0). If confirmed, our study suggests that the blood arsenic level may be a useful predictive marker of cancer risk in women.

Polymorphisms in MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-13 and MT2A do not contribute to breast, lung and colon cancer risk in polish population.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and metallothioneins (MTs) are Zinc-related proteins which are involved in processes crucial for carcinogenesis such as angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMPs and MTs that affect genes expression have been associated with cancer risk, including breast, lung and colon. METHODS: The study group consisted of 648 unselected patients (299 with breast cancer, 199 with lung cancer, 150 with colon cancer) and 648 unaffected individuals. Five SNPs, rs1799750 in MMP-1, rs243865 in MMP-2, rs11568818 in MMP-7, rs2252070 in MMP-13 and rs28366003 in MT2A were genotyped and serum zinc (Zn) level was measured. The cancer risk was calculated using multivariable logistic regression with respect to Zn. RESULTS: None of the 5 tested polymorphisms showed a correlation with cancer risk in studied groups, although for MMP-2, MMP-7 and MT2A non-significant differences in genotypes frequencies among cases and controls were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of polymorphisms, rs1799750 in MMP-1, rs243865 in MMP-2, rs11568818 in MMP-7, rs2252070 in MMP-13 and rs28366003 in MT2A in relation to serum Zn level did not show significant association with breast, lung and colon cancer risk among polish patients. Further studies are needed to verify this observation.

Serum selenium level and cancer risk: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a relationship between selenium status and cancer risk among those with low selenium levels. It is of interest to prospectively evaluate the relationship between selenium and cancer among women who reside in a region with ubiquitously low selenium levels. METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study of baseline serum selenium levels and cancer risk using data and biological samples from 19,573 females that were participants in a biobanking initiative between 2010 and 2014 in Szczecin Poland. Cases included women with any incident cancer (n = 97) and controls (n = 184) were women with no cancer at baseline or follow-up. Serum selenium was quantified using mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: The odds ratio associated being below the cutoff of 70.0 µg/L compared to a level above 70.0 µg/L was 2.29 (95% CI 1.26-4.19; P = 0.007). The risks for women in the two middle categories were similar and suggests that the normal range be between 70 µg/L and 90 µg/L. There was evidence for an increased risk of cancer among women in the highest category of selenium levels (i.e., > 90 µg/L), but this association did not achieve statistical significance (OR = 1.63; 95%CI 0.63-4.19; P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that suggest that the optimum serum level of selenium in women living in Poland should be between 70 µg/L and 90 µg/L.

Serum 25(OH)D concentration, common variants of the VDR gene and lung cancer occurrence.

The first aim of our study was to examine the association between common variants in VDR [rs2228570 (FokI), rs1544410 (BsmI), rs7975232 (ApaI), rs731236 (TaqI) and rs11568820 (Cdx2)] and lung cancer risk in the Polish population. Genotyping and statistical analysis which included Chi-square test with Yates correction and haplotype frequency analysis were performed on a series of 840 consecutively collected lung cancer patients and 920 healthy controls. The second aim was to evaluate the link between serum 25(OH)D concentration and the number of lung cancers in a subgroup of 200 patients. A separate control group that consisted of 400 matched (by age, sex, smoking habits and the season of blood collection) healthy individuals was used to avoid posterior adjustment on the matched variables. Statistical analysis with the use of Chi-square test with Yates was performed. We found no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the allels of studied VDR variants among cases and controls. A statistically significant over-representation of VDR haplotypes: rs731236_A + rs1544410_T [odds ratio (OR) = 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-5.32, p < 0.001], rs731236_G + rs1544410_T (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.31-1.81, p < 0.001) and rs731236_G + rs1544410_C (OR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03-0.07, p < 0.001) was detected. We found a tendency toward an increased number of lung cancers among individuals with low serum levels of 25(OH)D. To answer the question, whether VDR can be regarded as lung cancer susceptibility gene and low 25(OH)D serum levels is associated with lung cancer occurrences, additional, multicenter study needs to be performed.

Evaluation of Arsenic and Cobalt Levels in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition.

This study continues the research in which we determined the concentration of aluminum in children receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (LPN). Since our results were interesting, we decided to assay arsenic (As) and cobalt (Co) in the collected material, which, like aluminum, constitute contamination in the mixtures used in parenteral nutrition. Excesses of these trace elements in the human body are highly toxic, and deficiencies, particularly in the case of Co, can lead to various complications. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of LPN in children on their serum levels of As and Co, as well as the excretion of these elements in urine, and to compare them with a control group of healthy children. The study group consisted of 83 children receiving home parenteral nutrition from two Polish centers, while the control group included 121 healthy children. In both groups, the levels of As and Co in serum and urine were measured. The elemental compositions of the samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was demonstrated that the children receiving LPN did not have increased As exposure compared to the controls. Greater exposure compared to the control group was shown for Co. In conclusion, children receiving LPN are not exposed to As, and even though the concentrations of Co in serum and urine were higher in the LPN group than in the healthy controls, neither trace element poses a health threat to children requiring LPN.

Selenium and Arsenic Levels, Prevalence of Common Variants of Genes Involved in Their Metabolism, and Psoriasis Disease.

Using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer we measured the concentration of selenium and arsenic in serum and blood samples from 336 unselected psoriatic patients and 336 matched healthy controls to evaluate any associations with the clinical course of the disease. We genotyped 336 patients and 903 matched controls to evaluate the prevalence of SOD2 (rs4880), CAT (rs1001179), GPX1 (rs1050450), and DMGDH (rs921943) polymorphisms using Taqman assays. The mean selenium (Se) level in serum was 74 µg/L in patients and 86 µg/L in controls (p < 0.001). The mean Se level in blood was 95 µg/L in patients and 111 µg/L in controls (p < 0.001). Psoriasis risk was greatest among participants with the lowest serum (<68.75 µg/L, OR: 8.30; p < 0.001) and lowest blood concentrations of Se (<88.04 µg/L, OR: 10.3; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed in subgroups of males and females. We found an inverse correlation of selenium levels with PASI, NAPSI, and BSA scores. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the CAT, GPX1, DMGDH, and SOD2 polymorphisms. Among carriers of rs4880, rs1001179, and rs921943 polymorphisms, blood selenium levels were significantly lower. The mean arsenic level in serum was 0.79 µg/L in patients and 0.7 µg/L in controls (p = 0.2). The mean concentration in blood was 1.1 µg/L in patients and 1.3 µg/L in controls (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that lower selenium levels, in blood and serum, are associated with psoriasis risk and its more severe course. Future prospective studies should focus on the optimalisation of the concentration of this trace element not only for prophylactic guidance but also to support the treatment of this disease.

Blood Cadmium Level Is a Marker of Cancer Risk in Men.

Cadmium (Cd) is a known carcinogen, but its impact on cancer risk at lower concentrations is poorly understood. Previous studies on Cd and cancer risk in men show inconsistent results, prompting further investigation. A prospective cohort study involving 2956 men was conducted. Blood Cd levels were measured, and participants were followed for 78 months to assess cancer incidence. Men with high blood Cd levels (>0.71 µg/L) had a significantly increased risk of cancer compared to those with low levels (<0.19 µg/L) (HR 3.42, p < 0.001), particularly among non-smokers (HR 3.74, p = 0.003), individuals aged < 60 years (HR 2.79, p = 0.017), and ≥60 (HR 4.63, p = 0.004). The influence of smoking on cancer risk based on Cd levels was not significant in this study. Blood Cd levels may influence cancer risk in men, emphasizing the importance of minimizing Cd exposure to reduce risk. Confirmation of these results in other populations is essential for effective preventive measures against Cd-related cancers.

Serum Levels of Copper and Zinc and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients.

There is emerging interest in the relationship between several serum micronutrients and the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The relationship between serum zinc and copper levels and breast cancer prognosis is unclear. In our study, we included 583 patients with breast cancer diagnosed between 2008 and 2015 in the region of Szczecin, Poland. In a blood sample obtained before treatment, serum zinc and copper levels were quantified by mass spectroscopy. Each patient was assigned to one of four categories (quartiles) based on the distribution of the elements in the entire cohort. Patients were followed from diagnosis to death over a mean of 10.0 years. The 10-year overall survival was 58.3% for women in the highest and 82.1% for those in the lowest quartile of serum copper/zinc ratio (p < 0.001). The multivariate hazard ratio (HR) for breast cancer death was 2.07 (95% CI 1.17-3.63; p = 0.01) for patients in the highest quartile of serum copper/zinc ratio compared to those in the lowest. There is evidence that the serum zinc level and copper/zinc ratio provide an independent predictive value for overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Blood and Serum Se and Zn Levels and 10-Year Survival of Patients after a Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer.

The aim of the project was to evaluate the association between selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) levels in blood and serum and kidney cancer mortality. In a prospective group of 284 consecutive, unselected patients with kidney cancer, we evaluated their 10-year survival rate in relation to the levels of Se and Zn in their blood and serum. Micronutrient levels were measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Patients were divided into quartiles based on the distribution of Se and Zn levels arranged in increasing order. The following variables were taken into account in the multivariable models: age at diagnosis, gender, smoking, type of surgery and histopathological examination results. We observed a statistically significant association of all-cause mortality when subgroups with low blood selenium levels were compared to patients with high selenium levels (HR = 7.74; p < 0.001). We found, in addition, that this correlation was much stronger when only men were assessed (HR = 11.6; p < 0.001). We did not find a statistically significant association for zinc alone. When we combined selenium and zinc levels (SeQI-ZnQI vs. SeQIV-ZnQIV), we observed the hazard ratio for kidney cancer death to be 12.4; p = 0.016. For patients in the highest quartile of blood zinc/selenium ratio, compared to those in the lowest, the HR was 2.53; p = 0.008. Our study suggests that selenium levels, combined selenium and zinc levels (SeQI-ZnQI vs. SeQIV-ZnQIV) and zinc-to-selenium ratio (Zn/Se) are attractive targets for clinical trials aimed at improving the survival of kidney cancer patients.

Cobalt Serum Level as a Biomarker of Cause-Specific Survival among Prostate Cancer Patients.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the second leading cause of death in male cancer patients. The WHO suggests that cobalt is involved in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. There are, however, no studies associating cobalt levels and prostate cancer patient survival. In this study, 261 Polish prostate cancer (n = 261) patients were recruited into a prospective cohort between 2009 and 2015. Serum cobalt levels were measured using ICP-MS after prostate cancer diagnosis and before treatment. All study participants were assigned into quartiles (QI-QIV) based on the distribution of serum cobalt levels among censored patients. Univariable and multivariable COX regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for each serum cobalt level quartile. We found a significant relationship between high serum cobalt levels and poor prostate cancer patient total survival (HR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.17-5.82; p = 0.02). In relation to prostate cancer patients who died as a result of other non-cancer causes, the association with high levels of cobalt was even stronger (HR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.03-13.00; p = 0.04). The impact of high serum cobalt levels on overall survival of prostate cancer-specific-related deaths was not statistically significant.

Correlation between Selenium and Zinc Levels and Survival among Prostate Cancer Patients.

The most prevalent type of cancer among males is prostate cancer. Survival is considered quite good, but it can be further improved when risk factors are optimized. One of these factors is micronutrients, including Se and Zn. To our knowledge, the interaction between Se and Zn and prostate cancer remains undescribed. This study aimed to investigate the optimal levels of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) and their impact on the survival of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. A total of 338 prostate cancer patients were enrolled in this study, which was conducted in Poland between 2009 and 2015. Mass spectrometry, which uses inductively coupled plasma mass, was used to assess serum element levels before treatment. The study participants were categorized into quartiles (QI-QIV) based on the distributions of Se and Zn levels observed among surviving participants. Cox regression was used to assess the association between serum Se and Zn levels and the survival of prostate cancer patients. Our results reveal the effect of combined Se and Zn levels on survival in prostate cancer patients (SeQI-ZnQI vs. SeQIV-ZnQIV; HR = 20.9). These results need further research to establish Se/Zn norms for different populations.

Blood Iodine as a Potential Marker of the Risk of Cancer in BRCA1 Carriers.

Breast cancer and ovarian cancer pose a significant risk for BRCA1 carriers, with limited risk-reduction strategies. While improved screening helps in the early detection of breast cancer, preventive measures remain elusive. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between iodine levels and modulation of cancer risk, but comprehensive studies are scarce. We conducted a prospective study among 989 BRCA1 carriers to assess the association between blood iodine levels and breast and ovarian cancer risk. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we measured blood iodine levels and observed a negative association with breast cancer risk, with a significantly lower risk observed in quartile 4 (iodine > 38.0 µg/L) compared with quartile 1 (iodine < 30 µg/L) (HR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.27-0.87; p = 0.01). Conversely, a suggestive increase in ovarian cancer risk was observed at higher iodine levels (HR = 1.91; 95%CI: 0.64-5.67; p = 0.25). No significant association was found between iodine levels and overall cancer risk. Our results suggest the potential of iodine to reduce breast cancer risk in BRCA1 carriers after prophylactic oophorectomy but require further validation and investigation of its effect on ovarian cancer risk and overall mortality. These findings highlight the need for personalized strategies to manage cancer risk in BRCA1 carriers.

Antioxidant Properties of Zinc and Copper-Blood Zinc-to Copper-Ratio as a Marker of Cancer Risk BRCA1 Mutation Carriers.

Pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) confer high risks of both breast (up to 70%) and ovarian (up to 40%) cancers. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for various physiological functions, including antioxidant reactions. Their balance, reflected in the Zn/Cu ratio, plays a crucial role in maintaining redox homeostasis, which is vital for cancer prevention. This study examines the antioxidant properties of Zn and Cu, specifically focusing on the blood Zn/Cu ratio as a potential marker for cancer risk among BRCA1 mutation carriers. The study cohort consisted of 989 initially unaffected women, followed up for 7.5 years. Blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Although individual Zn and Cu levels did not significantly correlate with overall cancer risk, those women with a Zn/Cu ratio above 6.38 experienced a significantly lower cancer risk than women with a ratio below this cut-off point. This suggests that the Zn/Cu ratio may be a valuable biomarker for cancer prevention in this high-risk group. Given the increased cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers, optimizing Zn and Cu levels through dietary and active interventions could provide a preventive strategy.

Zinc and Its Antioxidant Properties: The Potential Use of Blood Zinc Levels as a Marker of Cancer Risk in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers.

BRCA1 mutations predispose women to breast and ovarian cancer. The anticancer effect of zinc is typically linked to its antioxidant abilities and protecting cells against oxidative stress. Zinc regulates key processes in cancer development, including DNA repair, gene expression, and apoptosis. We took a blood sample from 989 female BRCA1 mutation carriers who were initially unaffected by cancer and followed them for a mean of 7.5 years thereafter. There were 172 incident cases of cancer, including 121 cases of breast cancer, 29 cases of ovarian cancers, and 22 cancers at other sites. A zinc level in the lowest tertile was associated with a modestly higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to women with zinc levels in the upper two tertiles (HR = 1.65; 95% CI 0.80 to 3.44; p = 0.18), but this was not significant. Among those women with zinc levels in the lowest tertile, the 10-year cumulative risk of ovarian cancer was 6.1%. Among those in the top two tertiles of zinc level, the ten-year cumulative risk of ovarian cancer was 4.7%. There was no significant association between zinc level and breast cancer risk. Our preliminary study does not support an association between serum zinc level and cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

Blood Lead Level as Marker of Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer in BRCA1 Carriers.

BRCA1 mutations substantially elevate the risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Various modifiers, including environmental factors, can influence cancer risk. Lead, a known carcinogen, has been associated with various cancers, but its impact on BRCA1 carriers remains unexplored. A cohort of 989 BRCA1 mutation carriers underwent genetic testing at the Pomeranian Medical University, Poland. Blood lead levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Each subject was assigned to a category based on their tertile of blood lead. Cox regression analysis was used to assess cancer risk associations. Elevated blood lead levels (>13.6 µg/L) were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer (univariable: HR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.23-9.00; p = 0.02; multivariable: HR = 2.10; 95% CI: 0.73-6.01; p = 0.17). No significant correlation was found with breast cancer risk. High blood lead levels are associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 carriers, suggesting priority for preventive salpingo-oophorectomy. Potential risk reduction strategies include detoxification. Validation in diverse populations and exploration of detoxification methods for lowering lead levels are required.

Serum Essential Elements and Survival after Cancer Diagnosis.

In a prospective study, we measured the associations between three serum elements (Se, Zn and Cu) and the prognosis of 1475 patients with four different types of cancer (breast, prostate, lung and larynx) from University Hospitals in Szczecin, Poland. The elements were measured in serum taken after diagnosis and prior to treatment. Patients were followed from the date of diagnosis until death from any cause or until the last follow-up date (mean years of follow-up: 6.0-9.8 years, according to site). Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for all cancers combined and for each cancer separately. Age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression. The outcome was all-cause mortality. A Se level in the highest quartile was also associated with a reduced mortality (HR = 0.66; 95%CI 0.49-0.88; p = 0.005) in all-cause mortality for all cancers combined. Zn level in the highest quartile was also associated with reduced mortality (HR = 0.55; 95%CI 0.41-0.75; p = 0.0001). In contrast, a Cu level in the highest quartile was associated with an increase in mortality (HR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.56-2.08; p = 0.0001). Three serum elements-selenium, zinc and copper-are associated with the prognosis of different types of cancer.

An Assessment of Serum Selenium Concentration in Women with Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Available studies on the effect of serum selenium levels on the risk of malignancies show some conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the correlation between serum selenium levels and ovarian cancer occurrence. METHODS: 314 women (157 diseased patients and 157 healthy ones) matched in terms of age and BMI were included in the study. The measurements of selenium in the collected blood samples were performed using an ICP mass spectrometer. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were performed to determine the relationship between the factors under the study and the occurrence of ovarian cancer. RESULTS: The mean concentration of selenium was lower among diseased ones than among controls (53.31 µg/L vs. 78.99 µg/L). A decrease in selenium concentration was noticed with the advancement of ovarian cancer. In univariable and multivariable analyzes, a clear relationship between low selenium concentration and the occurrence of ovarian cancer was found (35.3 (95% CI: 11.2-111; p < 0.001) and 45.8 (95% CI: 12.8-164; p < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: The studied patients with ovarian cancer are characterized by statistically significant lower serum selenium levels than patients from the control group. Among the study group, a decrease in selenium concentration was observed with an increase in the FIGO stage. The determination of the role of selenium as a prophylactic factor in ovarian cancer requires further prospective studies.

Study of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels and Serum Cu/Zn Ratio among Polish Women with Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrients are important components for the homeostasis of the human body. The studies available in the literature of the subject on their impact on the risk of population diseases, including malignant neoplasms, are ambiguous. In this paper, the relationship between Cu and Zn serum levels and the occurrence of endometrial cancer have been analyzed. METHODS: 306 patients (153 test group and 153 control group) matched for age were analyzed for Cu and Zn levels. Microelements levels were determined for sera collected during the hospitalization of patients by means of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, the Cu/Zn ratio in the population included in the study was analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were used to examine the relationship between the factors under study and the incidence of endometrial cancer. RESULTS: Lower levels of elements were observed in the study group compared with the control group (Cu: 959.39 µg/L vs. 1176.42 µg/L, p < 0.001; Zn: 707.05 µg/L vs. 901.67 µg/L, p < 0.001). A statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of endometrial cancer was observed for Cu and Zn. The patients with the lowest Cu level had a significantly higher occurrence of endometrial cancer compared with reference tertile (OR 8.54; p < 0.001). Similarly, compared with the reference tertile, the patients with the lowest Zn levels had a significantly greater incidence of endometrial cancer (OR 15.0; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest an association of endometrial cancer occurrence with lower Cu and Zn serum levels.

Do trace elements influence the course of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus?

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is not fully understood. Some studies indicate an excess or deficiency of certain trace elements may affect glucose and insulin metabolism. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of trace elements in children with newly diagnosed DM1. The study group comprised 35 children aged 3-17 years (mean, 8.83±3.55 years). Serum concentrations of selenium, zinc, copper, and arsenic were determined at the time of diagnosis, after ~2 weeks (during insulin treatment), and after 6 months. No trace element deficiency was observed. Selenium levels were increased at all time points (77.61±14.03 µg/l; 70.42±11.04 µg/l; 75.79±12.89 µg/l). Arsenic levels were increased at the time of discharge (0.30±0.24 µg/l) and upon 6 months control visit (0.67±1.98 µg/l) for DM1. Copper levels were elevated at the time of diagnosis (1333±244 µg/l). No significant differences were observed in zinc concentrations between study and control group or between time points. Trace elements in the environment, especially selenium, may increase the incidence of DM1, although further research is required to confirm this association.