SERUM SELENIUM, ZINC, COPPER AND IRON CONCENTRATIONS AND SOME RELATED ANTIOXIDAN TENZYMES IN PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

SERUM SELENIUM, ZINC, COPPER AND IRON CONCENTRATIONS AND SOME RELATED ANTIOXIDAN TENZYMES IN PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

Objective: This study has been carried out to measure the alterations of some trace element concentrations, their related antioxidant enzyme activities, and carrier proteins in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).Methods: Serum selenium, copper and zinc concentrations were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels were measured with enzymatic colorimetric methods and transferrin (Tf) levels were measured with turbidimetric method.Results: Erythrocyte Cu-Zn SOD activities, serum copper concentrations and Cp levels were found to be significantly higher in patients group, than those of controls. However, GSH-Px and CAT activities, and selenium, zinc, iron and Tf levels were lower in patients according to the control subjects. There were positive important correlations between Cu-Zn SOD and Cp, Cu-Zn SOD and copper, Cp and copper, GSH-Px and selenium, and iron and CAT in patients group.Conclusion: Our results showed that serumessential trace elements selenium, zinc, copper and iron concentrations and their related enzymes Cu-Zn SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities change in CL patients. The changes may be a part of defense strategies of organism and are induced by the hormone-like substances.

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