[Zinc and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the zinc organic concentration in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to a control group. Also, to analyze if the serum zinc levels are related with zinc concentration in erythrocyte, nail and hair.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty patients of COPD have been studied, all males, average age 62 +/- 7 years and body mass index (BMI) of 27 +/- 4. Forty patients were included in the control group, with average age 57 +/- 9 years and BMI of 24 +/- 5. The patients with concomitant disease or booth treatment that could increase the zinc excretion were excluded. In all patients clinical history and examination, hematology and biochemistry tests, hepatic and lipid parameters, and nail, plasma, hair and erythrocyte zinc levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry were done. Variance analysis and Pearson test were done.

RESULTS

Blood, intraerythrocyte and nail zinc were similar in healthy subjects and patients; however, the median concentration of zinc in hair was significantly lower in patients (156 +/- 46 micrograms/g versus control group (185 +/- 64 micrograms/g) (p < 0.05). No differences were found between smokers and no smokers, and drinkers and no drinkers in relation with body concentration of zinc.

CONCLUSION

The zinc concentration in hair can be a good method to evaluate the chronic deficiency in the human body. The COPD patients could be susceptible to develop zinc deficiency; the situation increases the possibility of infection diseases.