ABSTRACT
Several studies have demonstrated that zinc plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in Western populations. But there are limited data for other racial groups. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum zinc and coronary artery disease [CAD] in Iranian population. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 81 individuals, aged 30 to 70 years, referred to Dr. Heshmat Hospital of Guilan, northern Iran, for routine coronary angiography. Based on the coronary angiogram results, the participants were assigned into 2 groups; 41 CAD patients in case group and 40 healthy ones in control group. Furthermore, data about smoking habit, physical activity and anthropometric indices were collected by questionnaire and using standard protocols. Serum zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean serum zinc concentration in the case and control group were 73.50 +/- 1.61microg/dl and 78.47 +/- 1.66microg/dl, respectively. The mean serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in case group than that in the controls [p<0.05]. Zinc concentration had negative correlation with age [r= -0.23 p<0.05], and positive correlation with weight [r=0.26 p<0.05]. Participants living in rural areas had lower zinc concentration than those in urban [p<0.05]. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in Iranian patients with abnormal versus those with a normal angiogram. It seems Serum zinc concentration correlates with some risk factors for coronary artery disease