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Serum Trace Element Concentrations in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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A Related Article was published on 13 June 2022

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that is associated with oxidative stress. Serum trace elements and their related transport proteins, e.g., albumin and ceruloplasmin, play an important role in the antioxidant defense. Trace element status may therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of RA or be affected by the disease activity of this chronic inflammatory condition. The study participants were 110 patients with RA and 100 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of albumin, ceruloplasmin, selenium, zinc, copper, and zinc/copper ratio were measured in all subjects. The relationship between these parameters and disease activity score was also assessed. Lower concentrations of serum Alb, Zn, and Se were independently related to disease activity index. High concentrations of serum copper were associated with the presence of RA. Serum Cu concentrations were positively related to disease activity as assessed by the disease activity score. Low serum concentrations of Zn and Se, and high serum Cu concentrations may be associated with the presence of RA or be a consequence of this condition. Of the trace elements that were investigated in the present study, only serum Cu was positively correlated with disease activity.

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Acknowledgments

This article was extracted from a dissertation of Dr. Razie Ayati with her thesis No. 2466-T submitted to the School of Medicine of Mashahd University of Medical Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of the Doctor of Medicine [M.D]. The authors would like to acknowledge Research Council and School of Medicine of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for their financial support [Grant No. 89355].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Maryam Sahebari, Razie Ayati, Sepideh Hejazi, Massoud Saghafi & Nayyereh Saadati

  2. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hamed Mirzaei

  3. Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  4. Division of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 9PH, UK

    Gordon A. Ferns

  5. Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Centre, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, 99199-91766

    Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan

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  1. Maryam Sahebari
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Correspondence to Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan.

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Sahebari, M., Ayati, R., Mirzaei, H. et al. Serum Trace Element Concentrations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Biol Trace Elem Res 171, 237–245 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0501-6

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