[Levels of Cu, Zn, Se and their relation to levels of ceruloplasmin and the activity of antioxidative enzymes].

BACKGROUND: Essential trace elements copper, zinc and selenium are important parts of antioxidant enzymes as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase as well as of transport protein with antioxidant properties-ceruloplasmin. Mentioned trace elements may affect antioxidant defence system. AIM OF STUDY: The aim of our study was to estimate serum levels of copper, zinc, and selenium in a group of healthy subjects and to correlate them with erythrocyte activity of Cu,Zn-SOD, GSH-Px and serum levels of ceruloplasmin. METHODS: We examined a group of 128 healthy volunteers (57 men and 71 women) aged 20 to 74 years. The analyses of trace elements we performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Cu,Zn-SOD were detected by Randox test, GSH-Px by kinetic method and ceruloplasmin was measured immunoelectrophoretically. RESULTS: We have not found any correlations between investigated trace elements, age and sex. Average serum levels were as follows: copper (17.26 +/- 2.71 mumol/L), zinc (15.30 +/- 1.92 mumol/L), and selenium (0.79 +/- 0.19 mumol/L). There was a weak linear correlation between serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between serum copper and zinc levels and Cu,Zn-SOD activity, and serum concentration of selenium and GSH-Px activity in the group of healthy subjects. A moderate linear correlation was estimated between serum values of copper and ceruloplasmin. (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 29.)