A Pilot Study on Zinc Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate zinc levels in three biological compartments (serum, erythrocytes and hair) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared to healthy individuals. Zinc levels in serum, erythrocytes and hair (in 74 patients with RA and 30 healthy individuals) were assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean hair zinc content was significantly lower in RA patients as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed in the RA patient group between the erythrocyte zinc levels and the prednisone dose (rs = 0.48, p < 0.05), and a negative correlation was found in this population between the serum zinc levels and disease duration (rs = −0.42, p < 0.0006). In conclusion, it seems that hair may be a useful complementary study material for evaluating “zinc status” in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Chondroprotective effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles in conjunction with hypoxia on bovine cartilage‐matrix synthesis

“…These results suggest ZnONP has a chondrocprotective role. Previously, it was reported that serum Zn levels are found to be substantially decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 20,53 and that the reduced level of serum Zn in RA is associated with immune inflammatory processes. 54,55 In all hypoxia cases, up-regulation of HIF-1A gene expression [ Fig.…”

Anserine and glucosamine supplementation attenuates the levels of inflammatory markers in rats with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Ali et al (2019) have reported the niclosamide supplementation exert anti-rheumatoid activity in collagen-induced arthritis in rat model. Higher levels of copper and ceruloplasmin (Amancio et al 2003) and uric acid (Choe and Kim 2015) and a lower level of zinc were noted in rats with RA (Mierzecki et al 2011), possibly due to an elevated level of IL-1 (Nemeth et al 2002). Wang et al (2019) have reported that the curcumin attenuates collagen-induced rat arthritis through apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects.…”

Sex Differences in Trace Metals and Disease Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

“…As zinc is considered anti-inflammatory with studies showing negative correlation between zinc and levels of IL-1 and TNF-. Mierzecki et al, 2011 18 have reported nonsignificant but higher levels of zinc in serum of RA patients. Though zinc levels should have been lower considering the role of proinflammatory cytokines as IL-1 and TNF- which inhibit albumin synthesis in liver and lower their zinc-binding capacity, which should in turn reduce the plasma zinc levels.…”

“…In recent studies RA seems to have derangement of mineral content like Mg, Zn, Cu and P. Their optimum concentration is required for normal functioning of the body. However alterations in level of these trace minerals as Mg 17 , Zn 18 and Cu (Copper) have been implicated in pathogenesis of RA as they are the co-factor of important enzymes involved in collagen and bone metabolism, the antioxidant defense system 19 and the immune system 20 . The development and progression of RA was suggested due to marginal deficiencies of Zn and Cu based on their ISSN: 2320-5407 Int.…”