Plasma iron, zinc, and copper levels in heart disease patients in Dr. Sardjito Hospital Yogyakarta

Abstract

Heart disease is a major cause of death in both men and women in industrialized countries. In fact, many individuals,
who develop heart disease, have normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It suggests that other risk factors
may also play a role. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) may promote CHD by increasing lipid peroxidation and
causing oxidant-induced damage in various organs. These minerals are essential as cofactors for functional enzymes
in the body. The hypothesis that Fe and Cu depletion protects against ischemic heart disease has generated significant
debate, but this hypothesis cannot be rejected until stronger evidence that high Fe stores increase the incidence of
CHD or death from myocardial infarction is proven. This research was aimed to find out the levels of Fe, Cu, and Zn
plasma as risk factors for heart disease patients, compared with those in hyperlipidemic patients and controls. In
this study, we examined the Fe, Zn and Cu levels in plasma of CHD patients, hyperlipidemic patients, and healthy
controls by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Thirty five CHD patients, 31 hyperlipidemic patients, and 26
healthy controls. Age, body weight, body height, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of each group were not
significantly different (p>0.05). There were higher cholesterol and lower HDL-C levels in CHD patients compared
with those in hyperlipidemic patients and controls. Therewere significantly higher triglyceridemia level in hyperlipidemic
patients compared to those in CHD patients and controls. Iron level in CHD patients were not significantly different
than those in hyperlipidemic patients and controls. Zinc level in CHD patientswere not significantly different compared
with those in controls, but in hyperlipidemic patients, they were significantly lower than those in CHD patients and
controls. Copper level in CHD and hyperlipidemic patients were significantly lower than those in controls. In this
research, it could be concluded that the decrease in Cu level might be one of the risk factors of CHD.
Keywords : iron-zinc-copper-heart disease-risk factor