Serum levels of copper and zinc and their relationship with iron status in sickle cell anemia patients

Purpose: To determine the serum levels of copper and zinc and their relationship with iron status in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods: Sixty-six (66) subjects comprising thirty-five (35) HbSS steady state (SS) and thirty-one (31) HbAA as control subjects receiving treatment in the Hematology Clinic, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria were recruited for the study. Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) was used to analyze the level of serum iron, copper, and zinc, while ferritin enzyme immunoassay was used to determine the serum ferritin. Results: Serum levels of copper and zinc were significantly lower compared to control in SCA (SS) subjects (p < 0.05). Similarly, serum iron and ferritin in SCA (SS), compared to control subjects, were significantly lower (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed in serum levels of copper and iron (r = 0.46 and p < 0.05). Likewise, a positive correlation also was observed between zinc and iron serum levels (r = 0.65 and p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was observed between copper and serum ferritin, and between zinc and serum ferritin (r = 0.44 and p < 0.05; r = 0.69 and p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: This study shows significantly lower levels of copper and zinc in subjects with SCA compared to control. Furthermore, low levels of copper and zinc correlate with iron deficiency in SCA patients. This may be due to the function of these trace elements in iron mobilization and utilization for hemoglobin and red blood cell synthesis and immune functions. This specific mechanism will require further investigation.