engleski

Serum copper, zinc and selenium levels with regard to psychological stress in men

Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) are essential trace elements involved in many metabolic processes and enzyme systems, and have an important role in protection against oxidative stress which is implicated in the pathogenesis of over 100 human diseases. This study considers possible alterations of Cu, Zn and Se status in male subjects under psychological stress. Serum concentrations of copper (S-Cu), zinc (S-Zn) and selenium (S-Se) were measured in 34 apparently healthy male prisoners of war immediately on release from a detention camp, and 85 healthy male subjects of comparable age and body mass index who had not been in a war combat zone. All subjects gave their informed consent prior to inclusion in the study. The S-Cu and S-Zn measurements were performed by using flame AAS and S-Se by electrothermal AAS, and the accuracy was controlled by regular participation in the Trace Elements External Quality Assessment Scheme (Guildford, U.K.). The results expressed as median and range were: 1138 (877-1337) ľg/L of S-Cu, 1087 (514-1260) ľg/L of S-Zn and 52.6 (29.6-99.9) ľg/L of S-Se in the former prisoners, and 1149 (869-1487) ľg/L of S-Cu, 1131 (874-1351) ľg/L of S-Zn and 64.8 (44.6-109.3) ľg/L of S-Se in the reference subjects. Significantly lower S-Zn (P<0.02) and S-Se (P<10^-5) were found in the former prisoners compared to the reference subjects, whereas no significant difference between the groups was found for S-Cu (P>0.80). In the group of former prisoners, a significant positive correlation was found between the S-Zn and S-Se levels (r=0.396, P<0.05) and inverse correlation between S-Zn and body mass index (r=-0.339, P<0.05), whereas no significant correlation was found of either S-Cu, S-Zn or S-Se with age (38 (19-54) years) or duration of imprisonment (130 (126-270) days). As the body mass index of 23.4 (19.7-28.1) kg/m^2 and the body mass relative deviation from nomogram of 105 (89-125) % in the group of former prisoners showed no indication of malnutrition, lowered S-Zn and S-Se levels may be ascribed to increased psychological stress induced by conditions during imprisonment. The fact that no significant correlation was found between S-Zn, S-Se or body mass index with respect to imprisonment duration, and an inverse association, rather than positive association, was found between S-Zn and body mass index, tends to corroborate this assumption.

psychological stress

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