Serum zinc and copper levels in some dermatological diseases

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential metals for biochemical processes in the body. Many researchers have main interest in these two metals because it was establish that they are involved in immunological and inflammatory reactions.

The study comprised 49 patients of Dermatology Clinic from Iaşi with different skin diseases (21 with psoriasis and 28 with varicose ulcer), during January - May 2006. The patients, both sexes, had ages between 19 and 81 years old. We determined serum Zn and Cu levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were expressed in mg/L and we calculated Cu/Zn ratio, too; the values were compared with 50 healthy controls.

In psoriasis, serum Zn and Cu mean levels (5.61 mg/L, respectively 1.27 mg/L) were higher as compared to controls (significance level p=0.04); the mean Cu/Zn ratio was 0.81 in psoriasis and 0.96 in control group. In varicose ulcer, mean levels were significantly increased (Zn-7.62 mg/L, Cu- 1.38 mg/L) compared to control group (Zn-0.81 mg/L, Cu-0.75 mg/L) and serum normal values; the mean Cu/Zn ratio was 1.00. 18 of all patients with psoriasis and varicose ulcer had higher serum Zn and Cu levels than normal values.