Comparison of essential trace elements in blood of patients receiving Ramathibodi Standard Parenteral Nutrition with Ramatrace or a commercial formular.
OBJECTIVE
Commercially intravenous trace element product is very expensive compared to Ramatrace. Therefore, the present research was designed to compare the levels of zinc, copper chromium and manganese in the blood of patients receiving Ramathibodi Standard Parenteral Nutrition (STD) containing the Ramatrace or the commercial product.


METHODS
Two groups of patients receiving STD were recruited. Group 1 (19 males and 11 females) received Ramatrace and Group 2 (19 males and 11 females) received a commercial product. Blood samples on day 0, day 3 and day 10 were measured for zinc, copper chromium and manganese levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model 3100, Perkin Elmer).


RESULTS
The present results showed that levels of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese were not significantly different between the two groups. On day 0, day 3 and day 10, the levels of zinc, copper and manganese in the blood of both groups were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Blood chromium levels of Group 1 were significantly increased from day 0 (0.14 +/- 0.02 microg/dL) to day 3 (0.23 +/- 0.02 microg/dL) but there was no significant difference between day 3 and day 10. In Group 2, the blood levels of chromium from day 0 to day 10 were significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients receiving STD, Ramatrace could improve the levels of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese as well as the commercial product. This may be one way to reduce the cost of treatment.
Roongpisuthipong
Chulaporn
C
Division of Nutrition and Biochemical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chiaovit
Jiraporn
J
Songchitsomboon
Sriwatana
S
Chindavijak
Busba
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D014131:Trace Elements; D002857:Chromium; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc