Serum copper and zinc concentrations in serum from patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT

A single cross-sectional study for serum copper and zinc levels was evaluated in 20 patients with cancer (respiratory, digestive, haematological, gynaecological) and 21 patients with cardiopathy (acute myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy). A control group of 84 healthy subjects was selected. The mean serum zinc levels in patients with gynaecological cancer and ischemic cardiomyopathy were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). However, the mean serum copper level was not statistically different among patients with cancer (P < 0.05) and cardiomyopathy (P > 0.05) than the control group. Male patients did not have statistically different values for serum Cu (P > 0.05) and Zn (P < 0.05) than those found in female patients. Patients' age did not have any statistical influence (P > 0.05) on serum Cu and Zn levels.