Copper and zinc concentrations and the activities of ceruloplasmin and superoxide dismutase in atherosclerosis obliterans

The relationships among concentrations of copper and zinc, the oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp) in serum, and Cu,Zn-SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity in erythrocytes were investigated in men with atherosclerosis obliterans (AO) and a control group. The oxidase activity of Cp was measured with o-dianisidine dihydrochloride as a substrate, and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes by using the RANSOD kit. The lipid profile and uric acid concentration were determined in AO and control groups. The results showed higher copper and zinc concentrations in serum in the AO group (20.0±3.5 and 18.0±3.2 μmol/L, respectively) in comparison with the control group (15.6±2.3 and 14.7±1.9 μmol/L). The Cp activity in serum was higher in the AO group (174.2±61.8 U/L) than in the control group (93.7±33.9 U/L), and a significant difference was found in the activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in erythrocytes (2389±1396 and 1245±365 U/g Hb, respectively) between both groups. The activity of Cu,Zn-SOD was positively correlated with copper in the control group (r=0.73), but not in AO, and negatively with uric acid concentration (r=−0.63) in the AO group. The oxidase activity of Cp was correlated with copper, but not zinc, in AO and control groups (r≥0.65). Negative correlation coefficients were calculated for uric acid and copper and zinc concentrations in the AO group (−r≥0.61). Increased copper concentrations and oxidase activity of Cp in serum in AO and the activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in erythrocytes could result from atherosclerotic disease, accompanied by chronic ischemia of a lower limb. These results suggest also that relationship between copper concentration and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes found in the serum of healthy subjects may be disturbed in pathologic conditions.     

Oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin and concentrations of copper and zinc in serum of cancer patients.

A balance between oxidant carcinogens and endogenous antioxidant defence is of particular relevance to the carcinogenesis. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) carries up to 90% of Cu in plasma and performs ferroxidase, antioxidant and amine oxidase activity. Cu and Zn, as trace elements, have been recognized to play an important role as cofactors of SOD. The study presents the relationship of the Cp oxidase activity and concentrations of Cu and Zn in serum of 62 patients with breast (BCA), lung (LCA), gastrointestinal (GICA) and gynecological (GYNCA) cancer. The Cp oxidase activity was determined in serum with o-dianisidine as a substrate. Cu and Zn concentrations in serum were measured by using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of the study have shown significant increase in the mean serum Cp oxidase activity and total Cu concentrations in all patient groups compared with the control one. The total mean serum Zn concentration was found to be decreased only in LCA group as compared with the control. The effect of the cancer progress on the Cp oxidase activity and concentrations of Cu and Zn was observed within the group of all cancer patients (ALLCA) and within the GICA group. The only significant difference in Cu concentrations among various stages of the disease was observed in GICA between local and distant one. Significant positive correlation coefficients were caLculated for the Cp activity and Cu concentrations in the control group and all patients groups, also according to the cancer progress. Future research is needed to evaLuate the consequences of the elevation of the serum Cp oxidase activity and concentration of Cp, Cu and Zn for the host antioxidant-oxidant balance.     

The relation between selenium, zinc and copper concentration and the trace element dependent antioxidative status.

An imbalance in the antioxidative system was connected with the development of a number of pathological processes. In order to receive values of a healthy group and to evaluate pathological changes of the trace element dependent antioxidative status in future, we investigated 99 healthy volunteers (45 male and 54 female, mean age 37.4 +/- 11.7 years). We determined the concentrations of Se, Cu and Zn, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of the Se dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the Zn/Cu dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD). The plasma concentrations (mean +/- SD) for Se, Cu and Zn were 0.84 +/- 0.10 micromol/l, 15.6 +/- 2.78 micromol/l and 12.6 +/- 1.80 micromol/l, resp., and for non protein-bound and protein bound MDA 0.27 +/- 0.07 micromol/l and 1.11 +/- 0.25 micromol/l, resp. The activity of GSH-Px in plasma and erythrocytes was 130 +/- 20.8 U/l and 19.8 +/- 4.18 U/mg Hb, resp. and of SOD in erythrocytes 3,159 +/- 847.2 U/g Hb. In plasma positive correlations have been found between Se concentrations and GSH-Px activities (p < 0.002, r = 0.31) and between GSH-Px activities and concentrations of non protein-bound MDA (p = 0.004, r = 0.28). A negative correlation has been observed between GSH-Px activities in plasma and in erythrocytes. The higher the concentrations of Cu in erythrocytes, the higher were the activities of SOD (p = 0.03, r = 0.22) and GSH-Px in erythrocytes (r = 0.26, p = 0.01), while an increasing activity of GSH-Px in these cells correlated with a decreasing concentration of non protein-bound MDA (r = -0,31, p = 0.002). An increase in BMI was connected with an increase in protein-bound MDA and a decrease in GSH-Px activities in pLasma (p = 0.002 and r = 0.23). As the results demonstrate, Se and Cu concentrations in erythrocytes can improve the trace element dependent antioxidative status.     

Superoxide dismutase during glucose repression of Hansenula polymorpha CBS 4732

Hansenula polymorpha CBS 4732 was studied during cultivation on methanol and different glucose concentrations. Activities of Cu/Zn and Mn superoxide dismutase, catalase and methanol oxidase were investigated. During cultivation on methanol, increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and an induced methanol oxidase were achieved. Transfer of a methanol grown culture to medium with a high glucose concentration caused growth inhibition, low consumption of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate substrates, methanol oxidase inactivation as well as decrease of catalase activity (21.8 +/- 0.61 deltaE240 x min(-1) x mg protein(-1)). At the same time, a high value for superoxide dismutase enzyme was found (42.9 +/- 0.98 U x mg protein(-1), 25% of which was represented by Mn superoxide dismutase and 75% - by the Cu/Zn type). During derepression methanol oxidase was negligible (0.005 +/- 0.0001 U x mg protein(-1)), catalase tended to be the same as in the repressed culture, while superoxide dismutase activity increased considerably (63.67 +/- 1.72 U x mg protein(-1), 69% belonging to the Cu/Zn containing enzyme). Apparently, the cycle of growth inhibition and reactivation of Hansenula polymorpha CBS 4732 cells is strongly connected with the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase.     

Indices of iron and copper status during experimentally induced,marginal zinc deficiency in humans

This study examined the effect of diet-induced, marginal zinc deficiency for 7 wks in 15 men (aged 25.3 +/- 3.3 yrs; mean +/- SD) on selected indices of iron and copper status. The regimen involved low-zinc diets based on egg albumin and soy protein with added phytate and calcium such that mean [phytate]/[Zn] and [phytate] X [Ca]/[Zn] molar ratios were 209 and 4116, respectively, for 1 wk, followed by 70 and 2000, respectively, for 6 wks. Subjects were then repleted with 30 mg Zn/d for 2 wks. Plasma copper, Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) activity in plasma and red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin were determined weekly on fasting blood samples. Significant reductions (p less than 0.05) after 7 wks in RBC Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (49.5 +/- 7.2 vs 33.6 +/- 6.3 U/mg Hb) and serum ferritin (69.2 +/- 38.7 vs 53.8 +/- 33.7 micrograms/L) occurred; no comparable decline was noted for plasma Cu, hemoglobin, or hematocrit. Significant (p less than 0.05) but less consistent changes were also observed in plasma superoxide dismutase activity. None of the changes were associated with the decreases in plasma, urinary and hair zinc concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase activity in RBC membranes. Results indicate that the biochemical iron and copper status of the subjects was marginally impaired, probably from the dietary regimen that induced marginal zinc deficiency.     

Ceruloplasmin, an Indicator of Copper Status

For clinical purposes, the non-ceruloplasmin copper fraction is routinely derived on the basis that ceruloplasmin binds six Cu atoms. However, this approach is limited because the actual ceruloplasmin copper binding is unclear. We performed direct measurement of the total serum copper and ceruloplasmin in 790 healthy individuals. We used an immunoprecipitation technique to separate ceruloplasmin and determined Cu content. With these values, we calculated the Cu/ceruloplasmin (Cp) ratio and thus generated data to support or discard the theoretical calculation of the non-ceruloplasmin fraction. Average of serum Cu and Cp levels were 18.4 +/- 4.4 micromol/l and 390 +/- 100 mg/l, respectively. The immunoprecipitation procedure allowed us to calculate a Cu/Cp ratio of 5.8, respectively, which supports the methodology of calculation that assigns a mean of six copper atoms to each ceruloplasmin molecule. With these values, we calculated that, in apparently normal adults, the non-ceruloplasmin copper (NCPC) fraction is lower than 1.3 micromol/l of Cu. In this report, we examine the Cp/Cu ratio by using Cp immunoprecipitation procedure. Our in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that, as a mean, there are 5.8 atoms of Cu per Cp molecule and that <1.3 micromol/l of Cu would correspond to the NCPC.     

Protective effect of L-carnitine on renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the rat

This study was designed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine in ischaemia and reperfusion of the rat kidney. Rats were randomly allocated into three groups. Group I (control group; n = 6) received no treatment. Group II (isotonic saline group; n = 6), received 2 ml of isotonic saline 15 min before the renal ischaemia, and group III (carnitine group; n = 6) received L-carnitine hydrochloride (100 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were sacrificed. Tissue malondialdehyde level (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and nitrite/nitrate (NO) level of renal tissue were measured to evaluate the lipid peroxidation, neutrophil function, and nitric oxide metabolism, respectively. The tissue levels of MDA, MPO and NO were lower in group III (71.8 +/- 8.4, 172.1 +/- 27.4 U g(-1) tissue, 76.3 +/- 29.7 micromol l(-1) respectively) than levels in groups I (103.4 +/- 13.4 nmol g(-1), 325.9 +/- 20.2 U g(-1) tissue, 144.5 +/- 39.2 micromol l(-1), respectively) and II (103.5 +/- 11.4 nmol g(-1), 317.1 +/- 41.5 U g(-1) tissue, 148.9 +/- 23.9 micromol l(-1), respectively). It is shown that carnitine protects kidney tissue against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.     

Elevated serum copper levels in women with a history of post-partum depression.

Previous observations suggested that there may be an association between elevated serum copper (Cu) levels and post-partum depression (PPD). In this study, we examined Zn and Cu levels in women with completed pregnancies who had a history of PPD and compared them to women who did not have depression, and to women who reported having been depressed, but without a history of PPD. Cu levels were significantly higher in women having a history of PPD compared both to non-depressed women and to depressed women without a history of PPD. The mean serum Cu level of 78 women with a history of PPD was 131+/-39microg/dL compared with 111+/-25microg/dL in 148 women without such a history, and 106+/-20microg/dL in non-depressed controls (p<0.001). Zn levels did not differ across the three groups. Cu/Zn ratios were significantly higher in the PPD-history-positive group, due to the significant differences in Cu levels. Cu and Zn levels were not significantly different in depressed and non-depressed men, nor between non-depressed women and non-depressed men. Depressed women had higher Cu, but not Zn, levels compared with men. The nature of the association between elevated Cu values and PPD is, as yet, unknown; however Cu has roles in a variety of physiological systems that may be implicated in the development of PPD.     

Extrathyroidal physiology of monoiodotyrosine in humans

Normal serum monoiodotyrosine (MIT) levels (n = 152) were 0.69 +/- 0.20 nmol/l. There was wide variation of MIT levels in a 24-hour period without diurnal pattern, and there was no change throughout the menstrual cycle. MIT levels declined upon aging, but levels in hypo- and hyperthyroidism were not significantly different. MIT levels were detected in athyrotic patients (0.32 +/- 0.08 nmol/l). Desiccated thyroid raised the athyrotic MIT levels to the normal range, while levothyroxine did not. Diiodotyrosine (DIT) infusion caused an MIT rise which paralleled but lagged 1 h behind the DIT rise. These data suggest thyroidal as well as nonthyroidal sources of MIT, one of which is deiodination of DIT. Ingestion of 1 g MIT increased serum MIT to 10.6 +/- 1.7 mumol/l in women, and 7.1 +/- 2.3 mumol/l in men 30 min after ingestion; the serum half-life was 45 min.     

Lack of induction of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase in diabetes mellitus

Some authors have suggested that carbohydrates can induce hepatic microsomal enzymes, resulting in increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in diabetes mellitus. Previously we demonstrated the lack of serum GGT increases in patients with acute diabetic crises. In this work we studied serum GGT activity, blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HB A1) in 35 patients with diabetes mellitus and 27 healthy volunteers. We did not see differences in the serum GGT activity among controlled (25.05 +/- 2.72 U/l) and uncontrolled (26.44 +/- 4.05 U/l) diabetics and the control group (22.51 +/- 2.95 U/l). Also, there was no significant correlation between serum GGT and HB A1 levels in diabetic patients (r = 0.279). We think that our observations may be relevant because they support the hypothesis that hyperglycemia does not act as an enzyme-inducing agent in chronically uncontrolled diabetics and, furthermore, they indicate that in the presence of abnormal serum GGT levels in diabetics it is necessary to investigate other associated diseases.     

Serum superoxide dismutase 3 (extracellular superoxide dismutase) activity is a sensitive indicator of Cu status in rats

Sensitivity of the assay for Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), the predominant form of SOD in serum, can be increased, and interferences caused by low-molecular-weight substances in the serum can be reduced by conducting the assay at pH 10 with xanthine/xanthine oxidase and acetylated cytochrome c (cyt c) as superoxide generator and detector, respectively. Serum SOD3 activity was assayed under these conditions in an experiment where weanling, male rats were fed diets for 6 weeks containing 3, 5 and 15 mg Zn/kg with dietary Cu set at 0.3, 1.5 and 5 mg Cu/kg at each level of dietary Zn. Serum SOD3 responded to changes in dietary Cu but not to changes in dietary Zn. A second experiment compared serum SOD3 activity to traditional indices of Cu status in weanling, male and female rats after they were fed diets containing, nominally, 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 6 mg Cu/kg for 6 weeks. Serum SOD3 activity was significantly lower (P < .05) in male rats fed diets containing 0 and 1 mg Cu/kg and female rats fed diet containing 0 mg Cu/kg compared with rats fed diet containing 6 mg Cu/kg. These changes were similar to changes in liver Cu concentrations, liver cyt c oxidase (CCO) activity and plasma ceruloplasmin in males and females. Serum SOD3 activity was also strongly, positively correlated with liver Cu concentrations over the entire range of dietary Cu concentrations (R(2) = .942 in males, R(2) = .884 in females, P < .0001). Plots of serum SOD3 activity, liver Cu concentration, liver CCO activity and ceruloplasmin as functions of kidney Cu concentration all had two linear segments that intersected at similar kidney Cu concentrations (18-22 microg/g dry kidney in males, 15-17 microg/g dry kidney in females). These findings indicate that serum SOD3 activity is a sensitive index of Cu status.     

Evaluation of five elements in lenses and aqueous humour of experimental rabbits after induced opacity

We evaluated the presence of Ca, Na, K, Cu and Zn in the lenses and aqueous humour of rabbits treated with an Nd:YAG laser to induce opacity of the crystalline. The mean concentrations of the elements found in control lenses were: Ca: 15.8+/-5.2 mg/kg; Na: 1.2+/-0.6 g/kg; K: 10.3+/-3.3 g/kg; Cu: 0.19+/-0.06 mg/kg; Zn: 20.6+/-3.0 mg/kg. With the exception of K and Zn, the values found in the lenses of treated eyes (Ca: 135+/-24 mg/kg; Na: 4.3+/-1.5 g/kg; K: 10.1 +/- 3.2 g/kg; Cu: 0.47+/-0.17 mg/kg; Zn: 21.8+/-4.2 mg/kg) were significantly higher than in the controls. On the other hand, the concentrations found in the aqueous humour of treated eyes (Ca: 21.7+/-4.5 mg/l; Na: 0.66+/-0.21 g/l; K: 0.29+/-0.10 g/l; Cu: 0.035+/-0.009 mg/l; Zn: 0.079+/-0.01 mg/l) were significantly lower than those of the controls. The greatest difference was observed for Na (-68.6%) and Cu (-52.7%), followed by Ca and Zn (-35.0% and -35.2%, respectively). A positive correlation was found between Ca and Na in treated lenses (r2 = 0.9226, p < 0.0001) whereas inverse correlations were found for both Ca (r2 = 0.9788, p<0.0001) and Na (r2 = 0.9491, p<0.0001) between the concentrations found in the lenses and in the aqueous humour of treated eyes.     

Creatine kinase isoenzyme BB in serum of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and with kidney transplant.

The activity of creatine kinase isoenzyme BB (CK-BB) was determined in serum of healthy adults and in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and with kidney transplant. In the healthy adults examined, an activity of 0.56 +/- 0.16 U/l (mean +/- SD) was found. The arithmetic mean of CK-BB activity in patients with renal insufficiency under hemodialysis was 1.42 +/- 0.87 U/l and differed from that of the healthy group. The CK-BB activity in patients with kidney transplant was not different from that of the control group. The occurrence of CK-BB in serum is discussed from diagnostic and methodological point of view.     

Serum zinc and copper in patients with atherosclerosis andThromboangiitis obliterans

The serum concentration of Zn and Cu were determined in 126 controls and 160 patients with atherosclerosis obliterans (AO) and 53 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TO). The concentration of serum Zn decreases with age both in controls and patients with AO in all the evolutive stages of the disease. In patients with TO, the concentration of serum Zn shows no correlation with age. The significantly lower values of serum Zn in controls and patients with AO over 61 yr than those below this age is attributed to the decreased Zn supply, especially to some individual cellular abnormalities. The values of serum Cu are higher in patients with AO and TO than in controls irrespective of the evolutive stage of the disease. This was related to cigarette smoking and inflammation. The Zn/Cu ratio in the serum is below 1 in patients with AO and TO and in controls over 61-yr-old. The pathogenetic role of this ratio in atherosclerosis and inflammation still remains a controversial question.     

Inhibition of rat testicular 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities by anti-androgens (flutamide, hydroxyflutamide, RU23908, cyproterone acetate) in vitro

Flutamide, hydroxyflutamide, RU23908 and cyproterone acetate (CPA) inhibited rat testicular microsomal 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities in vitro. The Km of [3H] progesterone for 17 alpha-hydroxylase was 45 +/- 0.62 nmol/l (+/- SEM, n = 12) and the Km of [3H] 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone for 17,20-lyase was 192 +/- 0.42 nmol/l (+/- SEM, n = 12). The Ki values for 17 alpha-hydroxylase, determined from Lineweaver-Burk plots were 102 +/- 3.2 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6), 363 +/- 3.8 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6), 118 +/- 1.4 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6) and 123 +/- 2.1 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6) for flutamide, hydroxyflutamide, RU23908 and CPA respectively. Flutamide and CPA were mixed-type inhibitors, whereas hydroxyflutamide and RU23908 were competitive inhibitors of 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Ki values for 17,20-lyase were 33 +/- 3.1 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6), 112 +/- 3.1 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6), 69 +/- 4.4 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6) and 71 +/- 3.2 mumol/l (+/- SEM, n = 6) for flutamide, hydroxyflutamide, RU23908 and CPA, respectively. Inhibition was found to be competitive in each case. Although the characteristic action of anti-androgens is at the receptor level, these results demonstrate that anti-androgens may also have inhibitory effects on androgen biosynthesis which could prove to be of clinical significance.     

Correlation Between Serum Testosterone Level and Concentrations of Copper and Zinc in Hair Tissue

Testosterone deficiency is associated with late-onset hypogonadism. Micronutrients including copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) influence testosterone synthesis. The association between micronutrient concentrations in hair tissue and serum testosterone was studied in Korean men. The subjects were 88 men 40-60?years of age who visited the health promotion center and an outpatient clinic of family medicine at a university hospital from March 2006 to February 2008. Population sociological features of the subjects were acquired by self-administered surveys and interview, height and weight were measured, serum total testosterone was determined in the morning, and Cu and Zn were quantified from hair tissue collected in the morning. Subjects with normal testosterone group had a significantly higher Zn level compared to low testosterone group (P?=?0.003). Significant negative correlations were evident between total testosterone and Cu level (r?=?-0.252, P?=?0.022), and the Cu/Zn ratio (r?=?-0.288, P?=?0.008). Normal testosterone is associated with a higher Zn level. Decreased serum testosterone is significantly associated with a high level of Cu and elevated Cu/Zn ratio in hair tissue.     

Characterization of an exceedingly active NADH oxidase from the anaerobic hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima

An NADH oxidase from the anaerobic hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima was purified. The enzyme was very active in catalyzing the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide with an optimal pH value of 7 at 80 degrees C. The V(max) was 230 +/- 14 mumol/min/mg (k(cat)/K(m) = 548,000 min(-1) mM(-1)), and the K(m) values for NADH and oxygen were 42 +/- 3 and 43 +/- 4 muM, respectively. The NADH oxidase was a heterodimeric flavoprotein with two subunits with molecular masses of 54 kDa and 46 kDa. Its gene sequences were identified, and the enzyme might represent a new type of NADH oxidase in anaerobes. An NADH-dependent peroxidase with a specific activity of 0.1 U/mg was also present in the cell extract of T. maritima.     

Inhibition of ceruloplasmin and other copper oxidases by thiomolybdate

The dietary antagonism between copper and molybdate salts prompted a study of the inhibition of copper enzymes by thiomolybdate (TM). TM strongly inhibited the oxidase activity of five copper oxidase with I50% values in the 1-5 microM range. The mechanism of the TM effect on the copper oxidase, ceruloplasmin (Cp) (E.C. 1.16.3.1), was studied in detail. In Vmax vs. E plots, TM gave parallel data suggesting irreversibility but a large number of TM molecules per Cp were required. The inhibition of Cp by TM could not be reversed by dialysis. Isolation of TM-inhibited Cp on Sephadex G-10 did not yield any active Cp molecules. Cu(II) did not restore any inhibited oxidase activity. Gel electrophoresis supported the covalent binding of Cp by TM without any extensive change in protein structure. EPR results confirmed that Cu(II) is reduced to Cu(I) after reaction with TM. However, the Mo(VI) in MoS4(2-) did not change in oxidation number. Analysis of the TM-Cp compound accounted for all six Cu atoms as found in native Cp. The data suggest the covalent binding of sulfide to Cp copper. TM also inhibited the activity of ascorbate oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and tyrosinase. However, no inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, a zinc enzyme, was observed at 1 mM TM.     

Association between dietary fat and antioxidant status of Tunisian type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: The antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) provide a defense against the damage of cells by reactive oxygen species, which increased in diabetic state. It was demonstrated that dietary treatment could improve the antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was undertaken to determine if erythrocyte Cu/Zn SOD and GSH-Px activities correlate with dietary nutrients in 35 selected type 2 diabetic patients (21 women and 14 men) without diabetic complications. RESULTS: We found that erythrocyte Cu/Zn SOD was diminished in patients with poor controlled diabetes and GSH-Px activity was significantly decreased in obese compared with non-obese type 2 diabetic patients (1.07+/-0.87 and 2.36+/-1.99 U/ml, respectively; P=0.024). Both erythrocyte Cu/Zn SOD and GSH-Px activities were positively correlated to erythrocyte omega3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In non-obese diabetic patients, only GSH-Px activity was correlated negatively to the fraction of linoleic acid (18:2omega6) and arachidonic acid (20:4omega6) in erythrocytes phospholipids. CONCLUSIONS: The data of this study reveal that activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were altered in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to determine if diet supplemented with omega3-PUFA is required to improve antioxidant defense system in diabetic state.     

Should chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients be routinely evaluated for trace elements?

We searched for serum concentrations of trace elements and correlated them to malondialdehyde (MDA), which is an indirect marker of oxidative stress, in order to clarify if routine evaluation is necessary in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients. Serum concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and iron (Fe) by a ILLab 1800 autoanalyzer with ILLab test kits. Serum MDA concentrations were detected in terms of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) spectrophotometrically. Serum Cu, Zn, Mg, Fe, and MDA concentrations in patient and control groups were all in the normal reference range. The results respectively were as follows: Cu:123±29.2 and 122.2±23.4 μg/dL; Zn: 87.8±17.8 and 96.9 ± 12.9 μg/dL; Mg: 2.3±0,5 and 2.04±0.28 mg/dL; Fe: 73.8±35.5 and 80.7±51.2 μg/dL; MDA: 1.09±0.11 and 0.95±0.06 nmol/L. MDA was not correlated to Cu, Zn, Mg, or Fe (p>0.05 for all). The serum Zn concentration of COPD group was lower than the control group (p=0.042), whereas the Mg concentration was higher (p=0.021). There was no statistical difference in other study parameters. Oxidative stress was not increased in clinically stable, regularly treated COPD patients. Although there was no deficiency in trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mg, and Zn), serum Zn was close to the lower limit of the reference value. There is no need for routine evaluation of trace elements in clinically stable, regularly treated COPD outpatients.