Abstract

ROLE OF SERUM ZINC LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

*Baybeen K. Alselevany, PhD

ABSTRACT

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease ofthe respiratory tract. The rise in asthma and allergic disease amongadults is a matter of worldwide concern. Many authors have arguedthat the changes in diet may have been an important determinant ofincreased susceptibility to asthma. Free radicals have been proposed tobe responsible for the pathogenesis of many diseases because of theirharmful effects on the cells and tissues. The enzymes responsible forantioxidant defense have trace elements like zinc,which is consideredas aa major dietary antioxidant and has a protective role for the airwayepithelium against oxygen free radicals. Objectives: This study was performed to assessstatus of zinc in serum of patients with newly diagnosis bronchial asthma in comparison withhealthy controls and to test the hypothesis that hypozincemia is a risk factor for asthmaticsymptoms in adults. Patients and methods: Sixty one adult patients of newly diagnosedbronchial asthma of both sexes [21 males and 26 females] attending Respiratory Care Unit atibinsinaTeaching Hospital in Mosul City and 50 healthyvolunteers [24males and 26females]were studies. The concentration of serum zinc level, pulmonary function tests [, and bodymass index,weremeasured. Results: the results indicated that serum zinc leveland lungfunctions in asthmatic patients were significantlylower in compared to healthy controls. Onother hand no significant differences was foundin level of serum zinc and some lungfunctions between males and femalesin asthmatic patients compared to control. Also theresults revealed that 31(50.8%) of patients were obese [BMI≥30]. Conclusion:Hypozincemia found in selected patients with bronchial asthma. Detection and improvementof trace element zinc abnormality should be beneficial in the outcome of asthmamanagement.

Keywords: bronchial asthma, serum zinc level, pulmonary function tests, BMI.