The Role of Trace Elements In Rheumatoid Arthritis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Rheumatologist, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with unknown origin. Several etiologic factors have been attributed to the pathogenesis of RA, which is substantially derived by inflammatory factor. Trace elements (TE) including selenium, zinc and copper are components of several fundamental enzymes in the oxidative pathways which play crucial role in the prevention of cellular oxidative stress induced by superoxides and free radicals.Methods: The current study aimed to assess the relationship between serum values of the trace elements and RA disease activity. On this purpose, searching of available electronic databanks by relative keywords and without any time limitation performed.Findings: The serum levels of selenium, zinc, and zinc/copper ratio in patients with RA were lower than those values in age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals; but zinc had a positive correlation with serum levels of albumin and negative relation with disease duration. Furthermore, copper was positively correlated to disease activity and there was no association between serum level of copper and age or gender. There was a relationship between lower values of selenium and number of affected joints in RA.Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a relationship between serum values of trace elements and RA development and disease activity.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 32, Issue 279 - Serial Number 279
January and February 2014
Pages 408-415

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 July 2013
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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