Trace Elements Profiling in Blood Serum of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that causes persistent joint inflammation. Despite its growing incidence, the cause is unknown, however it is believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic variables. The purpose of this study was to measure blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urea, creatinine, and trace elements (zinc and chromium) in RA patients and link these clinical indicators with trace element imbalances and disease activity. Additionally, the impact of medicine on trace element levels was investigated. The group comprised 80 RA patients and 40 controls from Pakistan. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to detect serum zinc and chromium levels. Our study found that RA patients had substantially higher ESR, CRP, and urea levels than controls (p < 0.05). In RA patients, blood serum zinc and chromium concentrations were 1.13 ± 0.78 and 0.14 ± 0.32 , respectively, compared to 1.499 ± 0.649 and 0.161 ± 0.089 in healthy individuals. Patients and controls had substantially different serum zinc levels (p = 0.009), but there was no significant variation in chromium levels (p = 0.69). The research also investigated the impact of medicines on trace element levels. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, which are often used by RA patients in combination, were observed to impact these trace element levels in the serum. Patients on NSAIDs had reduced zinc levels, indicating that these drugs may contribute to trace element depletion. Corticosteroids users, on the other hand, had somewhat greater zinc levels, probably due to the medications' anti-inflammatory effects, mitigating zinc consumption. Furthermore, the relationships between clinical indicators and trace elements were investigated. Elevated ESR and CRP levels linked favorably with disease activity but negatively with zinc levels. This suggests that inflammation in RA might contribute to zinc deficiency. The Chapter 1 Introduction 12 study found no significant link between chromium levels and disease activity, indicating that chromium may not play an important role in RA pathogenesis. Overall, this study emphasizes the need of monitoring trace components in RA patients. The data indicate that elevated ESR, CRP, and urea levels, as well as lower serum zinc levels, are linked with disease severity. These findings might aid in the development of comprehensive management methods, such as monitoring and even supplementing trace elements to improve the health of patients.