METALLOTHIONEIN, ZINC AND COPPER LEVELS - RELATIONSHIP WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Objectives: Metallothionein (MT) is a protein characterized by a high metal-binding capacity. Variations in metal concentrations may occur i n several pathologies such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The a im of this study was to investigate Zn, Cu, and MT levels in patients affected by AMI, and also to study their possible role in the patient' s short-term survival. Design and Methods: 60 AMI and 56 healthy subje cts were studied. Zn and Cu serum levels were determined by atomic abs orption spectrophotometry, and MT concentrations were measured by RIA. Results: A significant increase in serum Cu and MT levels and a decre ase in Zn levels in the AMI group was observed. A significant decrease in serum Zn and Cu levels in the subset of deceased patients was obta ined. Conclusions: MT behaves as an acute phase protein in AMI, though it is not a proper prognosis marker of this disease in the short term , and it does not seem to be related to Zn and Cu serum levels.