Trace Elements In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And The Relation Between Trace Elements And Cytokines

Objective To observe the levels of trace elements and cytokines in serumof stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to study the relationship between trace elements and cytokines, as well as the effects when trace elements were given to COPD patients.Methods Subjects were 30 patients with COPD (17 mild-moderate, 13severe) and 30 healthy individuals from the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University outpatients. All of them were evaluated by thorough medical history and complete physical examination, which may exclude diseases to ensure the results true. In order to study the correlativities among them, the levels of pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ), trace elements (iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium) and cytokines (interleukin-1β , interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α ) were measured. Then trace elements gutta was given to COPD patients for 28 days, and the measurements were repeated so as to observe the changes of trace elements and cytokines.Results(1) With the levels of these cytokines in serum in COPD patients increased, trace element iron, zinc, and selenium were decreased remarkably, but copper was increased. (P<0.05, P<0.01)(2) Following aggravation of the disease, the changes of trace elements and cytokines got more remarkable. There was obviously different among the different degrees of COPD patients.(3) There was significant positive correlation between cytokine interleukin-1β , interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α and Fe, Zn, Se in serum. Thepulmonary function improved when the levels notably Fe, Zn, Se increased and the level Cu decreased in serum.(4) After treated with trace elements gutta to COPD patients, The levels of Fe> Z^ Se in serum increased, Cu decreased(P<0.05-, P<0.01). Following the changes of serumal trace elements, the levels of cytokine IL-1 3 , IL-6, IL-8, TNF- a became lower than before and pulmonary function improved notably.(5) In this study, there didn't have correlations between Ca, Mg and pulmonary function, cytokines.Conclusion There was close relationship between pulmonary function andcytokines. With aggravation of the disease, the levels of Fe^ ZnN Se were decreased, and Cu was increased. And the levels of cytokine IL-1 0 , IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- a were increased at the same time. Treated with trace elements gutta to COPD patients properly, the pulmonary function could be improved and it had significant role to protect lung from oxidative damage. So the more early treatment was taken, the more benefits could earn. The role of Ca and Mg in COPD should be investigated more then before.