Association of Boron, Copper, Germanium, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc with Incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background and Objectives:Trace elements have an important role in numerous metabolic processes. This study aimed to investigate the association between the levels of boron, copper, germanium, magnesium, selenium and zinc with the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, and assess their relationship with other confounding factors, such as age, gender and type of rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid factor positive or negative). This study also aimed to evaluate the correlation coefficient between all studied parameters. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 56 men and women Iraqi patients with rheumatoid arthritis. An equal number of apparently healthy adults were also enrolled in this study as the control group. The patients were free from any diseases except rheumatoid arthritis, which was confirmed by clinical examination and laboratory estimations of biochemical and hematological tests. Serum levels of the investigated parameters were estimated using flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: Results showed that the serum levels of the investigated parameters significantly reduced in the patient groups compared with the control group. No significant age differences were observed in relation to the investigated parameters. In terms of the levels of boron, copper, magnesium and selenium a significant differences were observed between men and women. By contrast, no significant differences were observed between men and women in terms of the levels of germanium and zinc. Conclusion: The serum levels of the investigated elements were significantly reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, supplementation with trace elements could be necessary for rheumatoid arthritis therapy, and even more important to individuals who are at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. These findings prove the possible association between decreased serum levels of the studied parameters with the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the estimation of these trace elements could be a useful complementary non-invasive diagnostic tool to determine trace elements status for early diagnosis and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Some Trace Elements and Oxidative Stress Status in Patients with Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Chakraborty et al [34] 2015 performed research to evaluate serum copper levels in 50 diseased individuals in comparison with control subjects and found that sera levels of copper were significantly higher in the patient's category in comparison within the reference category; therefore we agree with the results of Chakraborty et al [34]. These results are consistent with that of research completed by Xin et al [35], Strecker et al [36], and Shatha Rouf Moustafa et al [37]. For keep its bigger necessity via lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase, glycyl histidine complex, etc., copper may have been released from its reserves, primarily the liver [38].…”

Evaluation of Serum Selenium Status by Age and Gender: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study in Western Romania

“…There are several studies revealing that low levels of SeS express inflammatory reactions leading to a subsequent increase in the consumption of Se-dependent proteins, with serious consequences for the ROS–antioxidant balance. The oxidative stress, indicated by low SeS values, may be linked to a series of autoimmune inflammatory-based pathologies [ 56 ]: autoimmune thyroid disease [ 57 , 58 , 59 ], vitiligo [ 60 , 61 ], rheumatoid arthritis [ 62 ], and systemic lupus erythematous [ 63 ]. Thus, SeS status can be considered an appropriate biomarker for these types of pathologies.…”