Serum copper and zinc concentrations of patients with rheumatoid arthritisfrom Kayseri-Turkey

Serum copper and zinc levels of 10 male and 33 female patients, aged 26 to 65 years, with rheumatoid arthritis from Kayseri-Turkey were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean levels of copper and zinc in rheumatoid arthritis were found to be 1.03 +/- 0.37 mg/l and 1.19 /- 0.41 mg/l, respectively. The levels of copper and zinc in the control sa mples were found to be 1.23 +/- 0.16 mg/l and 1.66 +/- 0.33 mg/l, respectiv ely. The zinc and copper levels in the serum of control group were signific antly higher than patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A positive correlatio n was found between copper and zinc levels of rheumatoid arthritis.