ZINC, MAGNESIUM, AND COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN SERUM, ERYTHROCYTES, AND URINE IN SICKLE-CELL HOMOZYGOTES AND HETEROZYGOTE NIGERIAN WOMEN

Serum erythrocyte, and urinary concentration of zinc, magnesium, and c opper were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry in si ckle cell homozygous and heterozygous Nigerian women. There were signi ficant differences between HbSS women and sickle cell disease carrier and between HbSS and controls, but differences between the mean values of HbAS carrier and HbAA controls did not show any significant differ ence regarding copper, zinc, or magnesium. The mean serum and erythroc yte copper values were lower in homozygous when compared with carrier trait and healthy control. No significant differences could be seen be tween the mean copper values of serum or erythrocyte in carrier and co ntrols. Our findings support zinc and magnesium supplement in homozygo te women.