The effects of snake venom on serum copper, zinc and magnesium levels in patients with snake bite

Abstract

Objective: Envenoming resulting from snakebites is a common devastating problem that is frequently seen in eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey. This aim of this study is to observe the changes of snake venom on serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) levels in patients with snakebite. Materials and Methods: Patients with snakebite and healthy individuals as control group were included in the study. Overall 10 ml venous blood sample was taken from each study individuals. Serum trace elements were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Forty patients with snakebite and 80 healthy individuals in the control group were included in the study. The mean age of the patients with snakebite was 40.1 &plusmn;12 years; of these, 18 were male (45%). The mean age of the 80 healthy individuals was 40.6 &plusmn;10 years; of these, 36 were male (45%). Serum Cu, Zn, and Mg levels of patients with snakebite were 75.8 &plusmn;20.9, 86.9 &plusmn;25.2, and 1201 &plusmn;562 &mu;g/dL, respectively. Serum Cu, Zn, and Mg levels of healthy individuals were 57.6 &plusmn;17.2, 55.8 &plusmn;12.4, and 1454 &plusmn;278 &mu;g/dL, respectively. There were statistically significant increas&shy;ing in serum Cu and Zn levels (p<0.001), and decreasing in serum Mg levels (p=0.001) in patients with snakebite when compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion: Snake venom produces significant alterations on serum Cu, Zn, and Mg levels in patients with snakebite. Investigating of these changes caused by snake venom through further studies may provide novel developments in the treatment of patients with snakebite.

Keywords

• Snakebite, snake venom, copper, zinc, magnesium

The effects of snake venom on serum copper, zinc and magnesium levels in patients with snake bite

Öz

Amaç: Yılan ısırıkları Türkiye’nin doğu ve güneydoğu bölgelerinde sık görülen önemli bir problemdir. Bu çalışmada yılan ısırığı vakalarında serum bakır (Cu), çinko (Zn) ve magnezyum (Mg) düzeylerindeki değişiklikler araştırıldı.Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 40 yılan ısırıklı hasta ile kontrol amaçlı 80 sağlıklı gönüllü alındı. Yaklaşık 10 ml venöz kan çalışmaya alınan her bir bireyden alındı. Serum eser element düzeyleri Atomik Absorbsiyon Spektormetre cihazı kullanılarak ölçüldü. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan 40 yılan ısırıklı hastanın yaş ortalaması 40,1 ± 12 yıl olup, 18’i (% 45) erkek idi. Sağlıklı 80 bireyin yaş ortalaması 40,6 ± 10 yıl olup, 36’sı (% 45) erkek idi. Yılan ısırıklı hastaların serum Cu, Zn, ve Mg düzeyleri sırasıyla 75,8 ± 20,9; 86,9 ± 25,2 ve 1201 ± 562 µg/dL bulundu. Sağlıklı gönüllülerin serum Cu, Zn, and Mg düzeyleri sırasıyla 57,6 ± 17,2; 55,8 ± 12,4 ve 1454 ± 278 µg/dL bulundu. İstatistiksel olarak sağlıklı gönüllüler ile karşılaştırıldığında, yılan ısırıklı hastaların serum Cu ve Zn düzeylerinde anlamlı bir artış (p<0.001) ve serum Mg düzeylerinde anlamlı bir düşüş (p=0,001) saptandı.Sonuç: Yılan zehiri, yılan ısırığı olan hastaların serum Cu, Zn ve Mg düzeyleri üzerinde anlamlı değişimler oluşturmaktadır. Yılan zehrinin serum eser element düzeylerinde oluşturduğu bu değişimlerin ileri düzey çalışmalarla araştırılması yılan ısırığı olan hastaların tedavisinde yeni gelişmeler sağlayabilir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yılan ısırığı, yılan zehiri, bakır, çinko, magnezyum

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