title: Effects of different medical treatments on serum copper, selenium and zinc levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to measure the changes in serum selenium, zinc, and copper in patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty-two patients and 52 healthy controls were included in the study. The copper level was higher and those of selenium and zinc were lower in the patients relative to controls. Treatment with methotrexate elevated the zinc levels, but not zinc and selenium. Treatments with salazopyrin, corticosteroids, chloroquine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not change the levels of any of the elements studied. The decrease in zinc and selenium levels and elevation in copper levels observed in the patients probably resulted from the defense response of organism and are mediated by inflammatory-like substances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Isparta State Hospital, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Önal
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nazıroğlu
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çolak
authors.forename: Vedat
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Manuel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Flores-Arce
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D003300:Copper; D002738:Chloroquine; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc; D008727:Methotrexate