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Determination of Serum Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, and Fe) in Pakistani Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, which mainly involves the joints. RA is prevalent worldwide with increasing prevalence in elderly people. The mechanism of RA pathogenesis is still undefined, and it is interplaying between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Although risk factors for RA are not fully established, various studies have focused on the role of trace elements in association with RA. Trace elements act as co-factors for most of the enzymes, and their deficiency is associated with many untoward effects on human health. The homeostatic alterations in the metabolism of trace elements may partly be due to inflammatory response in RA. The objective of the present study was to determine the serum concentrations and correlation of zinc, copper, and iron in RA patients and healthy controls. The study comprised of 61 RA patients and 61 age- and sex-related healthy individuals of Pakistani population. Serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe were measured in all the participants by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Zn and Fe were significantly reduced in the RA patients than those in the healthy controls. Serum Cu concentrations were found elevated in the RA patients. Correlation studies of trace elements determine that there was negative correlation between Zn and Cu in the RA patients and no correlation in the control group. It is very important to explore the deficiency of essential trace metals in biological samples of the RA patients in different populations which may be helpful for diagnosis and supplementary management of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, for facilitating this study. We also acknowledge the patients and volunteers who participated in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Zia Ullah, Shabbir Hussain & Haiba Kaul

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid i Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ikram Ullah

  3. Research Laboratories, Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ikram Ullah

  4. Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Khalid P. Lone

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  1. Zia Ullah
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  2. Muhammad Ikram Ullah
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Correspondence to Muhammad Ikram Ullah or Haiba Kaul.

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Compliance of Ethical Standards

The study was approved by the ethical review committee of the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ullah, Z., Ullah, M.I., Hussain, S. et al. Determination of Serum Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, and Fe) in Pakistani Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Biol Trace Elem Res 175, 10–16 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0746-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0746-8

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