Concentration of selenium, zinc, copper, Cu/Zn ratio, total antioxidant status and c-reactive protein in the serum of patients with psoriasis treated by narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy: A case-control study

Abstract Background Psoriasis is a common, an inflammatory skin disease. Trace elements may play an active role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and Cu/Zn ratio as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum of patients with psoriasis. Methods In this case-control study sixty patients with psoriasis and fifty-eight healthy people were examined. Serum levels of Se, Zn and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu/Zn ratio was calculated. TAS was measured spectrophotometrically. CRP was analyzed by immunoturbidimetric method. Clinical activity of psoriasis was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Results Serum concentration of Se in patients with psoriasis (71.89 ± 16.90 μg/L) was lower as compared to the control group (79.42 ± 18.97 μg/L) and after NB-UVB. Cu level of patients was higher (1.151 ± 0.320 mg/L) as compared to controls (1.038 ± 0.336 mg/L), but Zn level did not differ. We observed higher Cu/Zn ratio (p  Conclusions The study showed some disturbances in the serum levels of trace elements and TAS in psoriatic patients.