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Essential Trace Element Status in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Meta-analysis Based on Case-Control Studies

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Abstract

The homeostasis of trace elements is essential to regulate different aspects of the immune system and might play important roles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, epidemiological evidences that compared the level of essential trace elements in SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) did not reach a consensus. This was the first meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the level of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) in SLE and HCs. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched until April 2022 to find relevant literatures. The PRISMA statement 2020 was followed to make sure the quality of reporting a meta-analysis. The outcomes were assessed by pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Finally, eleven articles with 1262 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Significantly lower levels of Zn (SMD = −0.709; 95% CI: −1.173, −0.245; P = 0.003) and Fe (SMD = −1.783; 95% CI: −2.756, −0.809; P = 0.000) were found in SLE compared with HCs. Higher levels of Cu (SMD = 0.808; 95% CI: 0.234, 1.382; P = 0.006) were found in SLE patients. In addition, compared with HCs, Fe and Zn were lower in SLE patients in Asia and Cu was higher in SLE patients in Europe. However, no significant difference was observed in the level of Se (SMD = −0.251; 95% CI: −1.087, 0.586; P = 0.557). Above all, SLE patients exhibited lower Zn and Fe and increased Cu concentrations compared with HCs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism of Zn, Cu, and Fe in SLE patients.

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Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81803310], Research Fund of Anhui Institute of translational medicine [2021zhyx-C21], Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program in Anhui Province [S201910366064], the Grants for Scientific Research of BSKY from Anhui Medical University [XJ201619], and Peak Discipline of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Anhui Medical University.

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  1. Hua Wang, Xian-Bao Li, and Rong-Gui Huang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Hua Wang, Xian-Bao Li, Rong-Gui Huang, Nv-Wei Cao, Hong Wu, Kai-Di Li, Yi-Yu Wang & Bao-Zhu Li

  2. Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Hua Wang, Xian-Bao Li, Rong-Gui Huang, Nv-Wei Cao, Hong Wu, Kai-Di Li, Yi-Yu Wang & Bao-Zhu Li

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  1. Hua Wang
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Article retrieval, data extraction, and the first draft of the manuscript were performed by Hua Wang, Xian-Bao Li, and Rong-Gui Huang. Data sorting, inspection, and analysis were performed by Nv-Wei Cao, Hong Wu, Kai-Di Li, and Yi-Yu Wang. Bao-Zhu Li contributed to the project administration and funding acquisition. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bao-Zhu Li.

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Wang, H., Li, XB., Huang, RG. et al. Essential Trace Element Status in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Meta-analysis Based on Case-Control Studies. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 2170–2182 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03335-y

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