Association between serum trace element concentrations and the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a complex, incompletely understood, etiology. Several genetic and environmental factors are suspected to be involved in its aetiology. Oxidative stress may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE and may be affected by trace element status. Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) are essential components of several anti-oxidative enzymes and are also involved in several immune functions. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between serum concentrations of these trace elements and the clinical disease activity of SLE assessed using the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Serum concentrations of albumin (Alb) (p = 0.001), Se (p = 0.001), Zn (p = 0.001) and the Zn to Cu ratio (Zn/Cu R) (p = 0.001) were lower in patients with SLE than the age- and sex-matched healthy controls. However, only Alb (p = 0.001) and Cu (p = 0.03) were negatively correlated with disease activity, which was supported by regression analysis. In summary, lower serum values of Alb, Zn, Se and Zn/Cu R were found in SLE patients compared with healthy controls; however, in addition to serum Alb concentrations, serum Cu concentrations were also negatively correlated with lupus disease activity.
Rheumatic Diseases Research Center (RDRC), School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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M
Sahebari
Rheumatic Diseases Research Center (RDRC), School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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M
Abrishami-Moghaddam
Cardiovascular Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
A
A
Moezzi
Cardiovascular Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran ghayourm@mums.ac.ir.
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M
Ghayour-Mobarhan
Rheumatic Diseases Research Center (RDRC), School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Z
Mirfeizi
Centers for Health Sciences Research, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
H
H
Esmaily
Division of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Brighton, UK.
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G
Ferns
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
D014131:Trace Elements
SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI); ceruloplasmin; copper; selenium; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); trace element; zinc; zinc to copper ratio