Plasma oligoelements levels in pediatric cohort of spondyloarthropathy

The importance of trace elements in chronic inflammatory diseases is related to their cofactor role in immune system functions and in different metabolic processes in articular tissues. Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of rheumatic diseases linked by common pathology, including inflammatory back pain and peripheral enthesitis.

To investigate the status of plasmatic trace elements in a pediatric cohort of spondylorthropathy, to establish the relationship between these trace metals and the main biological and clinical parameters of the disease.

We studied plasma concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), plumb (Pb), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) in 11 patients with juvenile spondyloarthropathy and compared them with 14 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. Disease activity was measured by lab tests. Oligoelements concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

There were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb, Mn among the two groups (p>0.05). Plasma zinc was significantly lower in cases with SpA than control group (p<0.05) and was correlated with numerous of the biohumoral as well as clinical markers of SpA. Plasma zinc was found to be lower in SpA patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Cu concentrations were higher, but not significantly, in patients with SpA than those of healthy subjects. Ca and Fe plasma levels was significantly lower in children with SpA (p<0.05).

Administration of supplements with the proper quantity of oligoelements could balance the plasma concentrations of these trace elements in juvenile SpA.