Studies on some trace elements and cell-mediated immunity in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease

Cu, Zn, Mn, Se were determined in erythrocytes in 43 patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), and T cell subsets were also monitored in peripheral blood in 37 cases. The results revealed that the contents of Cu and Se in erythrocytes in patients with GTD were significantly higher than those in normal females, the contents of Zn in patients with hydatidiform mole (HM) and Mn in patients with GTD were significantly lower than those in normal females, and so were the absolutes of lymphocytes, T cell and T subsets in peripheral blood in patients with GTD, the T4+/T8+ ratio in patients with HM and high risk gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT) was obviously lower than that in normal controls. The above findings led us to hold that the alteration of trace elements (TE) in patients with GTD affects their immunologic function and is closely related to the occurrence and development of GTD.