title: Distribution of copper, iron, and zinc in biological samples of Pakistani hypertensive patients and referent subjects of different age groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The abnormal metabolism of metal ions plays an important role in health and disease conditions, and studies about them have been attracting significant interest. The aim of our study was to assess the trace metals (copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn)) in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, urine) of 387 hypertensive males and females, age range 30 - 60 years, from an urban population and 439 non-hypertensive subjects of same age group and residential areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-induced acid digestion. The validity and accuracy was checked by conventional wet acid digestion method, using certified reference materials. The overall recoveries of all elements were found in the range of 95.2 - 98.7 % of certified values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated significantly lower levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of hypertensive patients when compared to referents of both genders while the levels of these elements was found to be high in urine samples of hypertensive patients as compared to referents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The deficiency of Cu, Fe, and Zn may be synergistic with risk factors associated with hypertension. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professionals who will be investigating the deficiency of essential micronutrients in biological samples (scalp hair, serum, and blood) of hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan. hassanimranafridi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hassan Imran
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Afridi
authors.forename: Tasneem Gul
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Farah Naz
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Talpur
authors.lastname: Naeemullah
authors.forename: Sadaf Sadia
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.forename: Kapil Dev
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Brahman
authors.forename: Sham Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wadhwa
authors.forename: Faheem
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012307:Risk Factors; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc