Serum levels of selenium, zinc and copper in patients with coronary artery ectasia.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that the deficiency of trace elements may lead to oxidative stress in many tissues. Several studies have shown that the deficiency of trace elements may play a role in the pathogenesis of various heart diseases, including coronary artery disease. This study was designed to determine the serum levels of trace elements, such as selenium, zinc, and copper, in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia and to confirm previously documented changes in the trace element status in coronary artery disease. It also investigated the relationship between the level of trace elements and the extent of ectatic involvement in patients of coronary artery ectasia. METHODS AND RESULTS: The serum selenium, zinc and copper levels were measured in 37 patients of coronary artery ectasia, 56 patients of coronary artery disease and 30 controls. The trace element levels were measured by atomic absorption photometry methods. The serum selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) levels in both sets of patients were significantly lower than in the control group (Se: 127 +/- 10 microg/L and 126 +/- 9 microg/L vs. 147 +/- 12 microg/L, p < 0.001; Zn: 557 +/- 11 microg/L and 554 +/- 13 microg/L vs. 620 +/- 13 microg/L, p < 0.001). However, the serum copper (Cu) levels were similar in all patients and controls (964 +/- 12 microg/L and 973 +/- 14 microg/L vs. 956 +/- 17 microg7/L, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that coronary artery ectasia is associated with the deficiency of the trace elements selenium and zinc. Thus, these elements may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia, as well as in coronary artery disease.

Trace element status (Se, Zn, Cu) in heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: It has been speculated that trace elements may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. In the present study, we aimed to assess serum concentrations of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in patients with heart failure (HF) and to compare idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with healthy controls. METHODS: This study population included 54 HF patients (26 IDCM patients and 28 ICM patients) and 30 healthy subjects. Serum levels of selenium, zinc, and copper were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of Se and Zn in HF patients were significantly lower than in healthy controls (p=0.000 and p<0.01, respectively). However, serum Cu concentrations in these patients were significantly higher than in controls (p=0.000). There were no significant difference in the trace elements status between IDCM and ICM patients (p>0.05 for all parameters). Relationships of the serum trace element concentrations studied with echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that heart failure is associated with lower Se and Zn concentrations, and higher Cu concentration, and serum Se, Zn and Cu element profiles were similar in IDCM and ICM.

Significance of serum trace element status in patients with rheumatic heart disease: a prospective study.

It is known that certain trace elements can affect various heart diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in concentrations of certain serum trace elements in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Serum analysis of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) trace elements was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RHD patients had significantly lower serum concentrations of Se and Zn than control subjects (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the serum Cu concentration was significantly higher in RHD patients than in controls (1.93 +/- 0.59 microg/L vs 1.06 +/- 0.29 microg/L; p < 0.001). Similarly, the Cu/Zn ratio in RHD patients was higher than in control subjects (4.70 +/- 0.92 vs 1.68 +/- 0.45; p < 0.001). Additionally, no significant correlation was found among these trace element concentrations and the functional capacity classes (p > 0.05). RHD patients had decreased serum Se and Zn element concentrations and increased serum Cu element concentration. We suggest that Se and Zn deficiency might be contributory factors in the development of rheumatic heart disease, and a high Cu concentration and a high Cu/Zn ratio might reflect an ongoing inflammatory process in this disease.