Selenium, Copper, Zinc Concentrations and Cu/Zn, Cu/Se Molar Ratios in the Serum of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Northeastern Poland—A New Insight into Stroke Pathophysiology

Abstract

Background: In recent years, trace elements (TEs) have gained considerable attention in the course of treatment and diagnosis of ischemic stroke. The purpose of the conducted research was to determine the trace mineral status (Se, Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn ratio, and Cu/Se ratio) in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to the population of healthy people in the northeastern region of Poland. Materials and methods: 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 69 healthy control subjects were examined. The serum concentrations of mineral components were assessed by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. Clinical parameters were updated based on medical records. Results: The serum Se and Zn concentrations were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. However, no significant differences were revealed in terms of the serum Cu concentration (p = 0.283). As expected, we found that the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios were significantly higher (p = 0.001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. Conclusions: Disturbed metal homeostasis is a significant contributor to AIS pathogenesis. Furthermore, marked disruption of the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios could serve as a valuable indicator of AIS patients’ nutritional status and oxidative stress levels.

Neuroprotective Effect of Quercetin during Cerebral Ischemic Injury Involves Regulation of Essential Elements, Transition Metals, Cu/Zn Ratio, and Antioxidant Activity

“…Essential elements are vital to human health, as they are involved in a multitude of biochemical reactions in cells [2,6]. Because of their fundamental roles in the brain, many studies have investigated Mg, Zn, Se, Fe, and Cu [2,6,15,17]. Mg is the most abundant intracellular cation and exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including anti-oxidant functions, energy production, modulation of glucose transport across the cell membrane, calcium antagonist activity, and anti-inflammatory effects [6,21].…”

“…Zn is involved in a variety of biological functions such as brain development, wound healing, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation [1,2,15]. An investigation showed that Zn exerts antioxidant effects to protect cells from ROS attack to prevent further deleterious lipid peroxidation [26].…”

“…An investigation showed that Zn exerts antioxidant effects to protect cells from ROS attack to prevent further deleterious lipid peroxidation [26]. Conversely, a recent study suggested that a marked decrease in serum Zn concentration can be found in patients with acute ischemic stroke [15]. Besides, decreased Zn levels are associated with cerebral ischemia-mediated oxidative stress and directly correlate with the progression of cellular injury [27].…”

“…Se deficiency results in a decreased antioxidant capacity and increased oxidative stress level [29,30]. A clinical study in northeastern Poland revealed that Se level is significantly decreased in patients with acute ischemic stroke [15]. Cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in the kidneys is attenuated by Se through decreasing ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation together with increasing the levels of antioxidant defense enzymes SOD and CAT [31].…”

“…Depletion of either of these activities can attenuate the antioxidant capacity, resulting in increased oxidative stress and further brain injury [13,14]. The Cu/Zn ratio is a biomarker used to evaluate the status of inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrition [15]. There are no studies discussing whether the neuroprotective mechanism of quercetin during cerebral ischemic injury is related to the regulations of essential elements and transition metals so far.…”