Trace Element Status (Se, Cu, Zn) in Healthy Portuguese Subjects of Lisbon Population: A Reference Study

Abstract

Serum levels of selenium, copper, and zinc were systematically determined in healthy subjects of the Lisbon population. The sample consisted of 183 blood donors of both genders who were divided into two age groups: 20-44 and 45-70 yr of age; relationships with gender, age, the lipid profile, and tobacco consumption were investigated. In the female group, the intake of oral contraceptives and pregnancy were considered for the youngest women, and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) was taken into account for the oldest ones. Serum concentrations of these elements were in the same range as those found for populations of other European countries. Differences between genders were observed for the three elements studied, with serum selenium and zinc concentrations higher in men and copper levels higher in women. Age-dependent differences were found for selenium: The oldest subjects (regardless gender) presented the highest concentrations of * Author to whom all correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed.selenium in serum as further demonstrated by the positive correlation with age. In both pregnant and contraceptive-using women, copper was greatly increased, confirming the influence of estrogen status and/or oral contraceptive intake on increased serum copper levels. However, in postmenopausal women, HRT did not significantly affect serum copper levels. Selenium, copper, and zinc status were not different between normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects for the same gender and age range, but selenium levels tended to increase with hyperlipidemia when considering the whole group of subjects. With respect to the lifestyle, higher serum zinc levels were found in tobacco-consuming men. Albumin serum levels were similar for all considered subgroups, except for the pregnant women, for whom a decrease in this parameter was observed. The present study allowed one to obtain reference values for this healthy group of population, which will serve for a comparative study with groups having pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Systemic Markers of the Redox Balance and Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism in Atherosclerosis: The Relevance for an Integrated Study

“…In this study, risk subjects presented higher levels of selenium in plasma than the reference ones, which might be related to the presence of approximately 80% of hyperlipidemic subjects in the risk group (70). This association could in part be the result of the binding of selenium to lipoproteins, mainly LDLs, which are recognized as having significant amounts of selenium (71).…”

Minor and Trace Elements in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Parkinson's Patients – Suggestions After a Critical Review of the Analytical Data

“…In serum, it has been documented for Cu by Ghayour-Mobarhan et al (2005) and Kouremenou-Dona et al (2006); for Se by Lopes et al (2004). In brain, Markesbery et al (1984), Ongkana et al (2010) and Tohno et al (2010)  data converted from nmol/L Table 6.…”

“…For changes of Se, Cu and Zn in serum, see Lopes et al (2004) and Ghayour-Mobarhan et al (2005). For Zn variations in brain, see Ongkana et al (2010).…”

Selenium Is Significantly Depleted Among Morbidly Obese Female Patients Seeking Bariatric Surgery

“…Trace element levels have been estimated by some investigators to establish reference values for the healthy population group and factors that may affect serum levels of trace elements [7]. Ghayour-Mobarhan et al [8] reported that serum copper, zinc, and selenium concentrations are influenced by physiological conditions such as age, diet, and gender [8,9].…”