ABSTRACT
Previous studies suggest a protective role of the essential trace elements against cardiovascular disease, whereas wistful epidemiological data remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the serum concentration of zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu] in patients presented with acute coronary syndrome [ACS] considering status of cigarette smoking. Baseline Zn and Cu concentrations were measured in 100 individuals [50 with unstable angina [UA] and 50 with acute myocardial infarction [AMI]; then these parameters were compared with normal reference values. Current smoking status of patients in each group was analyzed considering values of serum trace elements concentration. In those patients who were admitted with ACS, mean serum Zn [62.1 +/- 13.4 [micro]g/dL] and Cu [66.5 +/- 14.1 [micro]g/dL] levels were lower compared to normal reference values [p < 0.001]. No significant differences were observed between AMI and UA patients in serum Zn [59.6 +/- 2.9 vs. 65.7 +/- 14.2 [micro]g/dL; p=0.28] and Cu [64.9 +/- 13.3 vs. 68.1 +/- 15.0 [micro]g/dL; p=0.79] levels. Also there were not any statistically significant differences in Cu and Zn levels between smoker and non-smoker patients in each study group [p values> 0.05]. Lower Zn and Cu serum concentration was found in patients with ACS but these relatively low levels are not significantly different between AM1 and UA patients. Also, it seems that cigarette smoking dose not considerably affect serum levels of Zn or Cu in ACS patients