Zinc content in biological media in patients with COPD

Zinc (Zn) is an important biometal that reduces oxidative stress and can function as an antioxidant in COPD patients, as it inhibits the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin β, which produce active forms oxygen. Therefore, Zn can be one of the biomarkers of the course and progression of COPD. <bold>Objective:</bold> To investigate the dynamics of Zn content in blood serum and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) in patients with COPD GOLD stages I-IV. <bold>Methods:</bold> The content of Zn was studied in 54 patients with COPD GOLD stages I-IV: 14 patients with COPD GOLD I, 14 with COPD GOLD II, 14 with COPD GOLD III, and 12 patients with COPD GOLD IV. Determination of Zn content in blood serum and BALF obtained during fibrobronchoscopy was carried out by the atomic absorption method on an atomic absorption spectrometer. <bold>Results:</bold> A decrease in the level of Zn in blood serum was established, the content of which in COPD GOLD I-IV was 1.54 (р<0.05), 1.59 (р<0.01), 1.69 (р<0.01), 1.91 (р<0. 01) times lower than the level in the control group. In the BALF content, the level of Zn exceeded the indicators in practically healthy individuals by 1.53 (p<0.01), 1.66 (p<0.01), 1.77 (p<0.05), 1.92 (p<0.05) times, respectively. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> A progressive decrease in the content of Zn in the blood serum of patients and an increase in the loss of Zn with sputum through the bronchial tree may indicate an increased use of the trace element for the formation of an immune response, stabilization of membranes, synthesis of proteins, including collagen, under the conditions of a chronic inflammatory process in COPD.