ZINC, COPPER AND IMMUNOLOGICAL MARKERS IN THE CIRCULATION OF WELL NOURISHED PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Objective Few studies have been carried out on the trace element statu s in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Many trace elements are cr itical for the normal development and function of the immune system. T his study was conducted in order to assess the serum levels of zinc an d copper and the possible interrelation(s) between them and various im munological markers in the circulation of well nourished patients with UC. Design/methods The serum levels of zinc, copper, soluble interleu kin-2 receptors (sIL-2Rs), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin -2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), non-organ specifi c autoantibodies (RF, ANA, ANCA, anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin), C-3C and C-4 components of the complement system and ceruloplasmin were de termined in 75 well nourished patients with UC (32 patients with activ e and 43 with inactive disease). Thirty-three healthy individuals were also investigated. Results The mean concentrations (mu g/dl) of zinc and copper were significantly higher (P < 0.0005 and P = 0.0001, respe ctively) either in active (202.3 +/- 115.2 and 141.7 +/- 31.4, respect ively) or in inactive disease (204.5 +/- 170.3 and 137.4 +/- 24.5, res pectively) compared with healthy controls (93.6 +/- 49.8 and 85 +/- 41 .2, respectively). The levels of copper were positively correlated wit h the C-3C (r = 0.41, P < 0.0005), C-4 (r = 0.38, P< 0.001) and cerulo plasmin (r= 0.44, P< 0.0005), whereas zinc was correlated with C-3C (r = 0.32, P= 0.0005) and ANA (P = 0.01). Autoantibodies of at least one specificity (AUBS) were found in 77.3% of the patients, The mean level s (U/ml) of sIL-SRs were significantly higher (P = 0.0001) in active d isease (604.3 +/- 213.0) than in inactive UC (411.5 +/- 165.1) and in patients with ANA (P< 0.05), ANCA (P = 0.01) or AUBS (P < 0.05). The s IL-SRs were correlated with the C-4 (r = 0.40, P < 0.005) and the ESR (r = 0.43, P = 0.0001). Conclusion These findings indicate that even i n well nourished patients with UC, high serum levels of copper and zin c are present. The latter alterations of zinc and copper are correlate d with haematological parameters of relapse of the disease or with acu te phase proteins suggesting a relationship with the inflammatory proc ess of UC. Further studies on the colonic tissue will address the role of zinc and copper in the inflammatory and immune reactions observed in this disease process. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.