Efficiency of serum copper/zinc ratio for differential diagnosis of patients with and without lung cancer

We examined serum copper (Cu), serum zinc (Zn), and the serum copper/zinc ratio (Cu/Zn) in 162 patients. All of them were seen to have an abnormal shadow in the chest X-ray films, that is, 109 patients with lung cancer (LC) and 53 patients with no lung cancer (NLC). The mean Cu and Cu/Zn in LC patients were significantly higher than those in NLC patients (p<0.05). In LC patients, Cu and Cu/Zn were higher and Zn was lower in advanced tumors than early ones. There was a significantly clear relation between Cu or Cu/Zn and the tumor (T) stages. When the relative risk (RR) of LC was estimated, it was seen that the higher Cu and Cu/Zn became, the higher RR became. Furthermore, we showed the sensitivity of the receiver operator characteristic of the test (ROC) curve for Cu, Cu/Zn, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to diagnose LC, as explained in a paragraph of methods.The determinations of Cu, Zn, and Cu/Zn are simple and inexpensive. They also appear to have a great diagnostic value in determining the local invasion of LC and as a screening test in the high-risk patients for LC.     

Hair zinc and copper: Relationship to hair type and serum concentrations in children and adolescents

The zinc and copper serum and hair concentrations of 691 3-18-y-old girls and boys previously determined as a part of the Multicentre Study of Atherosclerosis Precursors in Finnish Children and Adolescents were further analyzed in order to find a possible association between these two zinc and copper indices. The influence of hair color and the diameter of individual hair strands on hair concentrations were studied by the analysis of covariance. Hair color and serum zinc concentrations were found to be associated with hair zinc concentrations in boys. Such an association was not found for zinc and copper concentrations in girls. Hair vs serum concentrations in different age and hair color groups did not show however, a significant relationship either in copper or in zinc concentrations. The subjects with very low or high serum zinc or copper concentrations did not usually have extreme hair concentrations and vice versa. However, there were some subjects with low or high serum concentrations associated with low or high hair concentrations.     

Zinc and copper concentrations in serum from Spanish women during pregnancy

A cross-sectional study of serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in 31 healthy pregnant women and 51 healthy, nonpregnant controls living in the Mediterranean area of Granada, Spain, was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A, consisted of pregnant women in three categories according to the trimester of pregnancy, and Group B consisted of nonpregnant women acting as controls. In pregnant women, serum Zn levels were found from 0.300-1.340 mg/L and serum Cu from 0.936-2.304 mg/L, whereas in the nonpregnant women group, the mean serum levels were 0.947 ±0.265 mg/L for Zn and 1.092 ±0.365 mg/L for Cu. Serum Zn progressively decreased with gestation. Mean Zn levels were 0.829 ±0.253, 0.846 ±0.329, and 0.620 ±0.142 mg/L, corresponding to the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Serum Zn concentrations were significantly lower in pregnant women as compared to controls: 0.712 ±0.236 mg/L vs 0.947 ±0.265 mg/L, respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, Cu levels increased with period of gestation from 1.053 ±0.498 mg/L in the first trimester to 1.616 ±0.304 mg/L in the second and 1.689 ±0.344 mg/L in the third. Serum Cu levels in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those determined during the first trimester and for nonpregnant controls. Both Zn and Cu during pregnancy did not appear to be dependent on the subject’s age (p > 0.05).     

A case-control study on selenium,zinc, and copper in plasma and hair of subjects affected by breast and lung cancer

The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between plasma and hair levels of Se, Zn, and Cu, and cancer. We selected a total of 66 patients affected by either breast (38) or lung (28) cancer. They entered into the study at the onset of disease, and before any chemical or radiotherapy. Controls were randomly selected among healthy people and were matched for sex, age, smoking habits, and residence. In the group of breast cancer, a significant decrease in hair Se was found compared to controls (p<0.01), whereas plasma Se was only slightly decreased. No difference between cases and controls was detected in both hair and plasma levels of Zn and Cu. Subjects who developed lung cancer were significantly lower in hair Zn (p<0.05) and Cu (p<0.01) than controls, whereas there was no difference with regard to Se. In addition, plasma Cu of these patients was increased as compared to controls.     

Correlations between serum zinc concentrations and oxygen balance parameters in patients with primary arterial hypertension

It has been postulated that increased blood pressure is related to hypersensitivity of arterial chemoreceptors and increased tissue oxygen supply. Arterial blood pressure has been found to be negatively correlated to serum zinc and positively correlated to age, body mass index, and hemoglobin concentrations. The aim of the present investigation was to further explore the relationship between blood pressure and zinc concentrations in serum and blood morphology parameters, iron concentrations, and venous blood gasometry parameters. The study was carried out in two groups. Group Aconsisted of 23 subjects of both sexes suffering from moderate to severe arterial blood pressure. Their mean age was 53.13±10.45 yr (range: 23–74 yr). Group B included 48 subjects of mean age 36.7±10.0 yr (range: 26–60 yr). This group included 5 patients with arterial hypotension, 37 with hypertension, and the remaining 6 with normal blood pressure. Significant positive correlations between serum zinc and red blood cell count (r = 0.51) and negative with age (r = −0.52) were found. By multiple regression, negative correlations were also found between serum zinc and the diastolic blood pressure and with hemoglobin (r = −0.5). Age was positively correlated to systolic (r = 0.49) and diastolic (r = 0.45) blood pressure parameters and to hemoglobin concentrations (r = 0.33 and r = 0.38, respectively). Buffered and excess bases in blood were negatively correlated to zinc (r = −0.29 in both cases) and to systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = −0.31 and r = −0.40, respectively). In turn, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure also correlated negatively to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and positively to venous blood oxygen saturation and to the partial pressure of oxygen. The role of zinc and acid-balance realtionships in blood pressure regulation and in arterial hypertension ethiopatogenesis is disscused.     

Short communication serum copper,zinc, and calcium concentrations in lice-infested sheep

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in serum concentration of copper, zinc, and calcium in sheep naturally infested with lice (Bovicola caprae, Linognathus africanus, Linognatus ovillus, and Linognattus pedalis). Twenty sheep naturally infested with lice and 20 healthy sheep were used as subjects. Blood samples were collected from the sheep before and 8 and 15 d after treatment with Avermectin, a veterinary antiparasitic drug. The samples were analyzed for their serum copper, zinc, and calcium concentrations by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations of these elements in the infested animals were lower than in the healthy controls, mainly because the general condition of the affected sheep was poor. When the infested animals were treated with an ectoparasitic drug, the serum levels of the studied elements rose to normal ranges while the health of the animals improved.     

Selenium, zinc, and copper concentrations in the blood and milk of lactating women

The aim of the study was to determine Se, Zn, and Cu concentrations in blood plasma and milk of lactating women from central Poland who were in different stages of lactation and to investigate the relationship between the content of trace elements in mothers’ blood and concentrations of microelements in their milk. Se and Zn concentrations in blood plasma of mothers were the lowest and Cu was the highest on the first 4 d of lactation (colostrum, n=43) and were found to be 34.9±11.8 μg/L, 0.51±0.13 mg/L, and 1.70±0.55 mg/L, respectively. The highest plasma level of Se and Zn and the lowest content of Cu could be observed between d 10 and 30 of lactation (mature milk, n=41), and were found to be 54.3±14.6 μg/L for Se (p<0.001), 0.76±0.20 mg/L for Zn (p<0.001), and 1.03±0.30 mg/L (p<0.001) for Cu. The results of Se, Zn, and Cu determination in breast milk samples demonstrate a pattern of decline in their concentration with advancing stages of lactation. We found out that Se, Zn, and Cu concentrations were the highest in colostrum (n=43) and amounted to 24.8±10.1 μg/L, 8.2±2.8 mg/L, and 0.45±0.11 mg/L, respectively. The content of all determined microelements declined significantly during the time of lactation. Statistically significant linear correlation was found between concentrations of Zn in blood plasma and milk in the first stage of lactation. Weak but statistically significant linear correlations were also found between plasma Se content in plasma and in transitional and mature milk of breast-feeding women.     

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.     

Levels of iron, zinc, and copper in aqueous humor, lens, and serum in nondiabetic and diabetic patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels of aqueous humor, lens, and serum in nondiabetics and diabetics and to determine the effects of diabetes on Fe, Zn, and Cu contents in the lens. Fe, Zn, and Cu contents of aqueous humor, lens, and serum samples of 19 patients (9 nondiabetic patients with a mean age of 62.3±5.4 yr, and 10 diabetic patients with a mean age of 59.5±5.9 yr) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry using a prospective study design. The lens levels of Cu in diabetic patients were significantly higher compared with nondiabetic patients (p=0.02); however; there was no difference in the other elements (Zn, Fe; p=0.28, p=0.74, respectively). The levels of Fe, Zn, and Cu in the aqueous humor and serum of diabetic patients were not found to be statistically significant when compared to nondiabetics (p=0.46, p=0.11, p=0.18, and p=0.22, p=0.43, p=0.72, respectively). These results demonstrate that increased Cu content of the lens presumably has a greater association with the development of lens opacification in diabetics than Zn and Fe content.     

Serum copper and zinc levels in breast cancer: A meta-analysis

BackgroundMore and more studies have investigated the relationship between serum copper (Cu) and/or zinc (Zn) levels and breast cancer (BC). However, the results are inconsistent. It is unclear whether the serum Cu to Zn ratio (Cu/Zn) is associated with BC risk. Therefore, we evaluated serum Cu and Zn concentrations, and Cu/Zn in BC through meta-analysis.Materials and methodsStudies reporting serum Cu and/or Zn concentrations in BC patients and controls from 1991 to 2020 were identified from PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang databases online. Based on a random effects model, summary standard mean differences (SMDs) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were applied to compare the serum levels of Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn between BC patients and controls.ResultsThirty-six eligible studies involving 5747 female subjects were included. The present study illustrated that the BC patients had significantly higher serum Cu levels than healthy controls (HC) (SMD (95 % CI): 1.99(1.48, 2.49)) and patients with benign breast diseases (BD) (SMD (95 % CI): 0.99(0.38, 1.61)). However, Zn concentrations were statistically decreased in BC patients than HC (SMD (95 % CI): -1.20(-1.74, -0.66)) and BD (SMD (95 % CI): -1.13 (-1.73, -0.54)). Cu/Zn concentrations were remarkably increased in BC patients than HC (SMD (95 % CI): 2.75(1.79, 3.60)) and BD (SMD (95 % CI): 2.98(1.91, 4.05)) in some studies.ConclusionThe results show that elevated serum levels of Cu and Cu/Zn, as well as decreased Zn might be associated with increased risk of breast cancer. These three parameters have the potential to distinguish breast cancer from benign breast diseases.     

Serum copper,zinc levels,and copper

Serum copper and zinc levels were determined in 20 healthy women and in 100 women with gynecological tumors. Malignant and benign tumor cases were separated according to their postoperative, histopathological examinations. The stages of malignant and benign tumors were also established histologically. Seventy benign and 30 malignant genital tumors (carcinoma of cervix in situ, cervix, ovary endometrium, and vulva) of the patients were differentiated histopathologically. The serum Cu/Zn ratios of patients were increased significantly from the control group (0.32±0.35) to the benign group (1.22±0.63) and from the benign group to the malignant group (2.24±1.03). Nine of 30 malignant cases were determined as false negative (30%) and 15 of 70 benign cases were determined as false positive (14.2%) according to the serum Cu/Zn ratios of patients. Serum copper levels of 30 malignant and 10 benign tumor cases showed linear correlation with serum ceruloplasmin values.     

Serum copper levels and not zinc are positively associated with serum leptin concentrations in the healthy adult population

Leptin, the obesity gene protein product, is a hormone with multiple physiological functions in the human. However, there are few reports in the literature on its role in trace element metabolism in the normal population. Therefore, we investigated the association among serum leptin, zinc, copper, and zinc/copper ratio in 570 healthy men and women aged 15 yr and older. Serum leptin assay was done with a commercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assay kit; serum zinc and copper levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum leptin was found to be positively associated with age (r=0.254, p<0.001), sex (r=0.406, p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.553, p<0.001), and serum copper (r=0.419, p<0.001), but negatively associated with the zinc/copper ratio (r=−0.423, p<0.001). There was no significant association between serum leptin and zinc (r=−0.131, p>0.05). When the confounding effects of age, sex, and BMI were removed, serum leptin was still positively associated with serum copper (r=0.197, p=0.02) and the serum zinc/copper ratio (r=−0.182, p=0.03). These results suggest that copper and not zinc has an effect on serum leptin levels.     

Selenium, iron, copper, and zinc levels and copper-to-zinc ratios in serum of patients at different stages of viral hepatic diseases

Viral hepatic diseases, especially those induced by the hepatitis B virus, can progress into more serious pathological outcomes and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. A growing body of evidence indicates that many trace elements play important roles in a number of carcinogenic processes that proceed through various mechanisms. To examine the status of trace elements during the development of hepatic carcinoma, we determined the selenium, iron, copper, and zinc levels and copper-to-zinc ratios in the serum of patients at different stages of viral hepatic disease. We observed significant changes in the selenium, iron copper, and zinc levels in the serum of patients having hepatocellular carcinoma, relative to those of healthy controls (p<0.05). The mean serum copper level in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that of the control group. In contrast, the mean selenium, iron, and zinc levels in patients having hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly lower than those of the control group. In addition, the mean zinc level in the serum of patients with hepatic cirrhosis was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, we found markedly elevated Cu: Zn ratios (p<0.05) in patients having hepatic cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Our findings imply that the levels of some trace elements, such as selenium, iron, copper, and zinc, and Cu:Zn ratios, might serve as biomarkers for the increased severity of viral hepatic damage.     

Effects of trichophytosis on serum zinc levels in calves

The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc levels in calves with trichophytosis and to research the importance of zinc for fungi. The sera of 20 calves with trichophytosis and 10 healthy calves were used in this study. Zinc levels of the sera were measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. Serum zinc levels of diseased and healthy animals were found to be 42.0±16.6 μg/dL and 75.8±5.9 μg/dL, respectively. Serum zinc levels of diseased calves were lower than healthy ones and this difference were found to be important statistically (p<0.001), whereas there is no statistical difference on the levels of lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume between groups. These parameters were not influenced by low zinc levels.     

Extrahepatic tissue copper concentrations in white perch with hepatic copper storage

Hepatic copper storage in man (Wilson's disease), Bedtington and West Highland white terriers, and white perch ( Morone americana ) is characterized by the progressive accumulation of copper in hepatic lysosomes bound to cytoprotective metallothionein. In man, saturation of the liver storage capacity results in the distribution of copper to extrahepatic tissues with multiple organ system dysfunction. To determine if extrahepatic tissue copper concentrations also increase in white perch, copper and zinc levels in liver, brain, heart, gills, serum, and bile were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compared to striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ). Results showed that brain copper concentrations in. white perch were elevated and significantly correlated with liver copper. Bile and serum copper also increased significantly with liver copper. Copper levels in heart and gill tissues were low. Liver zinc was increased in white perch but not to the same magnitude as copper, and was correlated significantly with liver copper; possibly a non-specific secondary increase related to an overall increase in hepatic metallothionein. Histochemical staining of liver with rubeimc acid for copper was proportional to copper concentrations, and clusters of positive mononuclear cells were also seen in brain and spleen. Foci of macrophages in spleen were also intensely positive with Perl's iron stain which may have been indicative of haemolysis. The patterns of copper distribution seen in white perch present a useful comparative model to study alterations in copper metabolism.     

A new insight on serum microRNA expression as novel biomarkers in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the widespread lethal diseases affecting a large number of women worldwide. As such, employing and identifying significant markers for detecting BC in different stages can assist in better diagnosis and management of the disease. Several diverse markers have been introduced for diagnosis, but their limitations, including low specificity and sensitivity, reduce their application. microRNAs (miRNAs), as short noncoding RNAs, have been shown to significantly influence gene expression in different disease pathologies, especially BC. Clearly, among different samples used for detecting miRNA expressions, circulating miRNAs present as promising and useful biomarkers. Among different body fluid samples, serum serves as one of the most reliable samples, thanks to its high stability under various severe conditions and some unique features. Extensive research has suggested that BC-related miRNAs can remain stable in the serum. The objective of this review is to describe different samples used for detecting miRNAs in BC subjects with emphasis on serum miRNAs. So, this study highlights serum miRNAs with the potential of acting as biomarkers for different stages of BC. We reviewed the possible correlation between potential miRNAs and the risk of early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, response to chemotherapy, and relapse.     

The relationship between established coronary risk factors and serum copper and zinc concentrations in a large Persian Cohort

IntroductionThe relationship between demographic and biochemical characteristics, including several established coronary risk factors, and serum copper and zinc was assessed in a large Iranian population sample.Materials and methodsA group of 2233 individuals, 15–65 years of age [1106 (49.5%) males and 1127 (50.5%) females] was recruited from residents of the Greater Khorasan province in northeast of Iran. Demographic data were collected using questionnaires. Coronary risk factors were determined using standard protocols, and trace elements were measured in serum using atomic absorption spectroscopy.ResultsDegree of glucose tolerance and smoking habit were not associated with serum zinc and copper levels. Serum copper levels were significantly higher in obese and hypertensive than in normal subjects (p<0.001). In the whole group and for the female subgroup, serum zinc (p<0.01) and copper (p<0.001) were both significantly lower in individuals with normal versus high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.A strong positive correlation was found between serum copper and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.85, p<0.001). Weaker positive associations were found between serum copper and calculated 10 years’ coronary risk (r=0.11, p<0.001). Serum zinc/copper ratio was strongly inversely associated with calculated 10 years’ coronary risk (r=?0.10, p<0.001). The partial Eta squared (PES) values for factors determining serum zinc were hypertension (0.007, p=0.01) and BMI (0.004, p=0.01); and for serum copper, they were gender (0.02, p=0.001), hypertension (0.004, p=0.009), and 10 years’ coronary risk for men (0.003, p=0.03) and women (0.002, p=0.07).ConclusionSignificant associations between serum trace element concentrations and several coronary risk factors, including calculated 10 years’ coronary risk scores, were found.     

Estimation of serum zinc and copper in children with acute diarrhea

Diarrhea is, in reality, as much a nutritional disease as one of fluid and electrolyte loss. Children who die from diarrhea, despite good management of dehydration, are usually malnourished and often severely so. In this study, we determined the serum levels of zinc and copper before and after standard oral rehydration solution (ORS) therapy in children with acute diarrhea and correlated it with diarrheal duration and severity. One hundred ten children suffering from acute diarrhea were included. Serum zinc and copper levels of these children were estimated at the time of enrollment and after treatment with standard ORS therapy. This study shows that children suffering from acute diarrhea show a statistically significant decrease of 13.1% and 12.8% in serum zinc and copper concentrations, respectively, compared to normal. These levels further decrease by 22.6% and 22.4%, respectively, after treatment with standard ORS therapy. Our study shows that children with the lower plasma zinc and copper levels suffered with more severe and longer duration of diarrhea. Zinc and copper supplementation could be added to standard ORS therapy for the reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with acute diarrhea in children.     

Superoxide dismutase activity and zinc and copper concentrations in growth retardation

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oral zinc treatment on red cell copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) activity and zinc and copper concentrations in growth retardation. Thirty-five patients, average age of 11 yr, were selected. The control group consisted of 10 healthy children whose average age was 10 yr. Superoxide dismutase activity was determined by spectrophotometer. Copper and zinc concentrations were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The activity of Cu/Zn-SOD before zinc treatment was higher than the controls (p<0.001). There was a decrease in Cu/Zn-SOD activity after zinc treatment (p<0.001) and the values after treatment were still higher than the controls (p<0.001). Plasma zinc concentrations before zinc treatment were lower than controls (p<0.01). After treatment, there was an increase in plasma zinc concentrations compared to controls and the patients' values before zinc treatment, respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001). After zinc treatment, plasma copper concentrations were decreased significantly (p<0.01). An increase in red cell zinc concentration (p<0.01) and a decrease in copper concentration (p<0.001), which were statistically significant, were seen after zinc treatment. The results suggested that there were significant alterations in Cu/Zn-SOD activity and zinc and copper concentrations during growth retardation. With zinc treatment, these parameters appeared to approach normal values.