Association between Copper-Zinc Ratio in Hair and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio within the Context of a Normal White Blood Cell Count among Overweight or Obese Korean Individuals: A Pilot Study

The Protective Effect of the Crosstalk between Zinc Hair Concentration and Lymphocyte Count-Preliminary Report

BACKGROUND

An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms is indicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque. The coronary artery and carotid disease, despite sharing similar risk factors, are developed separately. The aim of this study was to analyze possible mechanisms between trace element hair-scalp concentrations and whole blood counts that favor atherosclerotic plaque progression in certain locations.

METHODS

There were 65 (36 (55%) males and 29 (45%) females) patients with a median age of 68 (61-73) years enrolled in a prospective, preliminary, multicenter analysis. The study group was composed of 13 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD group) referred for surgical revascularization due to multivessel coronary disease, 34 patients with carotid artery disease (carotid group) admitted for vascular procedure, and 18 patients in a control group (control group).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the CAD and carotid groups regarding lymphocyte (p = 0.004) counts. The biochemical comparison between the coronary and carotid groups revealed significant differences regarding chromium (Cr) (p = 0.002), copper (Cu) (p < 0.001), and zinc (Zn) (p < 0.001) concentrations. Spearman Rank Order Correlations between lymphocyte counts and trace elements in the analyzed groups were performed, revealing a strong correlation with zinc (R = 0.733, p < 0.001) in the control group (non-CAD, non-carotid).

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in hair-scalp concentrations related to atherosclerosis location were observed in our analysis. The interplay between zinc concentration and lymphocyte count may play a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease development.

Serum Copper/Zinc Ratio in Overweight and Obese Children: a Cross-Sectional Study

To assess the association between serum copper/zinc ratio (CZR) and overweight/obesity in children. Sociodemographic and clinical data of children aged 8-18 years old were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database in this cross-sectional study. These associations were explored using weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). High serum CZR level was related to higher odds of overweight (OR = 1.74), obesity (OR = 5.26), and central obesity (OR = 2.99). Subgroup analyses showed that high serum CZR levels were associated with high odds of overweight in children aged ≥ 12 years old (OR = 2.19) and females (OR = 2.02), while the increased odds of obesity and central obesity were found in children aged ≥ 12 years old and both male and female. Elevated serum CZR level was linked to high odds of childhood overweight, obesity, and central obesity, and this relationship was also found in children with different age and gender.

Whole blood trace element and toxic metal concentration in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and healthy dogs: A case-control study

Background

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common neurological disease in dogs. Multiple genes and environmental factors interact to cause clinical signs, although the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Extensive evidence from recent decades shows that trace elements play a role in epilepsy in humans, and recently it was shown for the first time that also dogs with IE have altered trace element status. On the other hand, toxic metals may cause seizures but research on their role in canine IE is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate trace element and toxic metal concentrations in whole blood from dogs that had been diagnosed with IE and compare them to those of healthy dogs.

Materials and methods

Whole blood concentrations of trace elements (selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and chromium) and toxic metals (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead) were analyzed from 19 dogs that had been diagnosed with IE by board-certified neurologists and 19 healthy control dogs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentrations in study and control group were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

Dogs diagnosed with IE had significantly higher blood copper concentration (P = 0.007), higher copper/zinc ratio (P = 0.04), and higher selenium concentration (P < 0.001), as well as lower chromium concentration (P = 0.01) when compared to healthy dogs. Treatment of IE with potassium bromide was associated with a significant elevation in blood arsenic concentration (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the present results support the role of altered trace element status in dogs diagnosed with IE and suggest that copper, selenium, and chromium may be involved in the pathogenesis of canine epilepsy or seizures. The results also suggest that potassium bromide may alter arsenic metabolism in dogs.

Investigation on the Association of Copper and Copper-to-Zinc-Ratio in Hair with Acute Coronary Syndrome Occurrence and Its Risk Factors

The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increases every year; however, the impact of microelements on its underlying cause—atherosclerosis—is still unclear. Copper plays numerous regulatory roles in cardiovascular health and was suggested to influence the classic risk factors for CAD. The copper-to-zinc-ratio (Cu/Zn-ratio) reflects systemic oxidative stress–one of the factors in the complex pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Hair incorporates metal ions during its growth; thus, it reflects the metal exposure that occurred over the last 4–8 weeks. The aim of the presented study was to verify the association between Cu and Cu/Zn-ratio content and the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the hair of 133 patients who underwent coronary angiography due to suspected ACS. Additionally, association between Cu and Cu/Zn-ratio and selected risk factors for CAD was analyzed. Neither Cu nor Cu/Zn-ratio levels were associated with the occurrence of ACS, regardless of its type (UA/NSTEMI/STEMI). We did not find a significant association between Cu content in hair and risk factors for CAD. The Cu/Zn-ratio in hair was significantly correlated only with body mass index. The relationship of Cu content and Cu/Zn-ratio in hair with CAD, its risk factors and ACS appears to be complex and requires further well-designed research.

Associations between Hair Mineral Concentrations and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Korean Adults

OBJECTIVES

Muscle health plays an important role in maintaining function and independence in the elderly, and some nutrients provide protection against the age-related decline of muscle strength and function. Minerals are important nutrients that may contribute to the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, but they have not been well-studied. This study investigated whether hair mineral concentrations differ between subjects with low muscle mass (LMM) and subjects with normal muscle mass.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 232 adults ≥ 20 years of age who visited the Health Promotion Center of the University Hospital in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

MEASUREMENTS

The data from 232 subjects were analyzed and divided into LMM and normal groups based on the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (LMM was defined as ASMI < 7.0 kg/m2 in men and < 5.7 kg/m2 in women). Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device with a body composition analyzer.

RESULTS

Overall mean age of participants was 50.4±11.6 years (29.7% women). Subjects with LMM showed significantly lower triglyceride levels, greater high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and lower body mass index (BMI), compared with subjects who had normal muscle mass. No significant differences in hair mineral concentrations were observed between subjects with LMM and subjects with normal muscle mass, with the exception of copper. Hair copper concentrations were significantly greater in subjects with LMM than in subjects with normal muscle mass after adjustment for covariates and factors (65.7±14.2 vs 33.1±4.3 μg/g, P = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that hair mineral status may play a role in the development of LMM. Therefore, further studies with larger numbers of subjects are required to identify the effects of mineral imbalances, their relationships with sarcopenia, and the differences between subjects with LMM and subjects with normal muscle mass.