title: Changes in serum trace elements after surgery: value of copper and zinc in predicting post-operative fatigue.
abstract: Triceps skin fold, arm muscular performance and fatigue were quantified, haematocrit measured and haemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, transferrin, zinc and copper concentrations determined in 60 patients (36 women, 24 men) before and 3-45 days after surgery. On days 3 and 9 after surgery, there was a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in serum zinc concentrations but by 45 days concentrations had return to pre-operative values. In contrast, serum copper concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated until day 45. Haematocrit and haemoglobin and albumin concentrations were decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) 3 and 9 days after surgery, whereas serum total protein concentrations remained significantly (P less than 0.05) lower for 45 days compared with concentrations prior to surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Soria, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cordova Martinez
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Escanero Marcen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc