Hair-zinc levels determination in Algerian psoriatics using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of zinc concentrations in scalp hair and fingernails samples of Algerian females with breast cancer

In the present work, zinc levels were measured in scalp hair and fingernails in order to identify potential risk factors for breast cancer. The samples were collected from 40 Algerian breast cancer female patients and from 20 normal subjects matching the same age range. The concentration of zinc was analyzed using Instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA). In scalp hair samples it was found in the range 119–792 μg/g for the normal subjects and in the range 82–806 μg/g for the patients, with an increase rate of 10.9%. The range of concentration of zinc in fingernails was found between 89 and 247 μg/g for normal subjects and between 75 and 276 μg/g for the patients with an increase rate of 2.5%. The influence of age on zinc concentration was also investigated. The obtained results show some consistency with those obtained by other groups.

Determination of scalp hair selenium concentrations in Algerian psoriatic individuals using k 0 -standardization based on neutron activation analysis method

Psoriasis is a dermatological disease that affects 2–3% of the Algerian population. Selenium has a positive impact on psoriasis. Selenium plays an important role in protecting free radical damage as a component of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme. The objective of this investigation was to assess the status of selenium in the hair of Algerian patients suffering from psoriasis. Fifty-eight scalp hair samples were collected from Algerian patients with psoriasis, classified by gender and four age groups: 36 females and 22 males, aged between 9 and 79 years. Thirty healthy subjects aged 9–74 years were also surveyed for control purposes. Selenium content was measured for all scalp hair samples using the k 0-standardization of neutron activation analysis. The average selenium concentration for controls and patients were 0.39 ± 0.18 and 0.28 ± 0.13 μg/g respectively. Selenium concentration for female and male controls and patients, were 0.35 ± 0.17, 0.47 ± 0.19, 0.28 ± 0.14, and 0.28 ± 0.11 μg/g, respectively. There is a significant difference (p < 0.05) between selenium level in patients and in controls. Selenium concentrations in psoriatics’ scalp hair can be affected by both gender and age. Measured selenium contents have been approved by the quality assurance and quality control procedure (QA/QC).

Trace Elements Homeostatic Imbalance in Psoriasis: a Meta-Analysis

Studies point out that trace elements take vital roles in immunological and inflammatory reactions, such as psoriasis, while the conclusions are controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the existing literatures and explore the relationship between the risk of psoriasis and four trace elements zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se). We identified 42 studies through the databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of knowledge. After the meta-analysis, the serum zinc, iron, and selenium levels showed no remarkable difference between psoriasis and controls. The people with psoriasis showed a higher level of zinc in lesion tissue (standard mean difference (SMD) = 14.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.89-20.97; P < 0.0001), and a higher level of serum copper than controls (SMD = 18.23; 95% CI, 5.06-31.40; P = 0.007). Our findings indicated that the trace element of copper and zinc levels are in a homeostatic imbalance in psoriasis patients when compared with controls, which raise the question whether this imbalance can be taken as the therapy target for psoriasis.

Effects of zinc on interleukins and antioxidant enzyme values in psoriasis-induced mice

The effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl2), disodium zinc ethylenediamine tetraacetate (Zn-EDTA), and zinc gluconate (Zn-GLU) on the antioxidant enzyme activities and levels of interleukins (ILs) in psoriasis-induced mice were studied. One hundred twenty female mice were randomly divided into six groups with 20 mice in each group: the control, positive control (PC), methotrexate (MTX), ZnCl2, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU groups. All animals except the control group were given diethylstilbestrol for three consecutive days. After successfully inducing psoriasis, the control and PC groups were given normal saline (i.g.) daily while the remaining groups were given MTX, ZnCl2, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU, respectively. The results revealed that the zinc supplementation could significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit mitosis in the mouse vaginal epithelium as methotrexate did and the inhibiting efficacy had nothing to do with the zinc forms. After ZnCl2, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU supplementation, the levels of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities increased and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the PC group. The levels of SOD, CAT activity, and MDA level between each zinc supplementation group and MTX group were insignificant (p > 0.05). The zinc treatments also caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the raised IL-2 level of animal serum. The results obtained in the present work indicate the potential for zinc as a complementary pharmaceutical intervention for the treatment of topical psoriasis.