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

Abstract

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 serum

essential 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.

Keywords

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis
• glutathione peroxidase
• Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase
• catalase
• selenium
• zinc
• copper
• iron

References

1. Berman JD, Waddel D, Hanson BD. Biochemical Mechanisms of the antileishmanial activity of sodium stibagluconate. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1985; 27(6): 916-920.