Trace element levels in alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent, nonscarring type of hair loss considered to be an autoimmune process. Though its etiopathology is not fully understood, there are claims that imbalance of trace elements may trigger the onset of AA. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium in the serum of AA patients. METHODS: Fifty AA patients (34 men and 16 women), and fifty age and sex matched healthy control subjects were studied. Samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometric methods. RESULTS: Serum zinc levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in AA patients whose disease was extensive, prolonged, and resistant to treatment, whereas serum copper and magnesium levels showed insignificant rise compared to controls. CONCLUSION: We conclude that copper and magnesium levels are not altered in AA, but the decreased zinc levels found in our study may merit further investigation of the relationship.

Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, proteins and superoxide dismutase in leprosy patients on multidrug therapy--a follow-up study.

Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, total proteins and albumin-globulin fractions and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in 80 untreated patients with TT/BT/BL/LL type of leprosy and in 40 controls. The investigations were repeated on day 30, 60 and 120 after starting multidrug therapy (MDT-WHO) on the patients. Serum zinc was significantly lowered in all types of leprosy on days 0 and 30. Serum copper was significantly raised in all types of leprosy. This was not significant in BT/TT cases on 60, 120 days. There was a correlation between serum zinc and copper levels and the severity and type of leprosy. The lowering of serum magnesium values were not significant. With therapy, there was a shift of all the three elements towards normal values. Serum total proteins reduction was not significant. Serum albumin was significantly lowered in all types of leprosy. Serum globulin was significantly raised in all types of leprosy. This rise in TT/BT was not significant on day 60 and 120 after starting treatment. Serum SOD was significantly reduced in all the untreated cases. It gradually increased with the clinical improvement under MDT.

Serum zinc, sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium levels and standard diet in leprosy patients.

Serum zinc levels were estimated in different types of leprosy by means of the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method in 64 leprosy patients, comprising of tuberculoid tuberculoid (TT) (5), borderline tuberculoid (BT) (6), borderline borderline (BB) (10), borderline lepromatous (BL) (13), lepromatous lepromatous (LL) (14) and burnt-out leprosy (BO) (16). These findings were evaluated in comparison to 86 normal control subjects who were served the same standard diet. Serum zinc levels were significantly low in the total leprosy group. The findings of this study are of clinical importance as zinc deficiency can be one of the factors involved in suppression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in lepromatous leprosy. This again has a bearing on the management of wounds and wound healing. This study also reveals that altered levels of the serum elements (eg. calcium and sodium) have a direct association with the disease and not with food deprivation.

Serum cations (calcium and magnesium) in leprosy.

Serum cations (calcium and magnesium) were studied in 80 leprosy patients and 40 normal healthy individuals to find out the correlation between the clinical status of leprosy with these cations levels in the serum. There was significant decrease of serum calcium in lepromatous leprosy (7.42 +/- 0.7 mg%, t = 14.12, P less than 0.001), which seems to be related with the extent of leprosy lesions and duration of illness as few patients (22.2%) with minimal lesions and shorter duration of illness had serum calcium within normal range. Serum magnesium was significantly decreased in all types of leprosy cases and lepromatous leprosy patients showed highly significant decrease in serum magnesium level (1.02 +/- 0.2 mEq/L, t = 14.54, P less than 0.001).

Trace elements in the sera of leprosy spectrum.

Serum zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 56 leprosy patients comprising 14 BT, 12 BB, 11 BL and 19 LL. These findings were evaluated in comparison to 42 normal subjects serving as controls. A significant elevation of serum copper was recorded while reduction in zinc, calcium and magnesium was noted throughout the leprosy spectrum. The findings of our study are of considerable importance and need to be taken note of in the light of delineating these alterations to be the cause or effect of the disease.

Serum calcium and magnesium in leprosy.

Serum calcium and magnesium were studied in 70 leprosy patients and 25 normal healthy individuals. An attempt has been made in this study to find out if there is any correlation between the clinical and pathological status of the disease and serum calcium and magnesium levels in the blood. Serum calcium was found to be significantly decreased in lepromatous leprosy (Ca=8.42+/-0.7 mg%, P less than 0.001) and dimorphous leprosy (Ca=8.68+/-0.94 mg%, P less than 0.05) while it was normal in tuberculoid leprosy (Ca=9.14+/-2.12, P less than 0.05). The decrease in serum magnesium level was highly significant in all clinical types of leprosy (Mg=1.08+/-0.29, P less than 0.001).

Serum calcium and magnesium in different types of leprosy.

Serum calcium and magnesium were studied in 200 leprosy patients and 25 apparently healthy individuals. Serum calcium was found to be significantly decreased in all types of leprosy except tuberculoid. The decrease in serum magnesium was highly significant in tuberculoid, lepromatous and borderline lepromatous cases.