Abstract
Serum zinc and copper levels and serum interleukin 1β (IL1β) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) levels were evaluated in 57 female patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to investigate a possible role of IL1β and TNFα on zinc and copper homeostasis in RA. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower and serum copper levels significantly higher in RA patients when compared with osteoarthritis or asymmetrical psoriatic oligoarthritis patients and with normal controls. No differences were observed in serum IgM rheumatoid factor positive and serum IgM rheumatoid factor negative patients as regards serum zinc and copper concentration. In RA patients the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and acute-phase proteins correlated negatively with serum zinc and positively with serum copper. IL1β and TNFα were found to correlate negatively with zinc and positively with copper in RA patients. Lower levels of zinc may be due to an accumulation of zinc-containing proteins in the liver and in the inflamed joints in RA. Elevated serum copper levels seem to be linked to the increased synthesis of ceruloplasmin by the liver.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Starcher BC, Hill CH, Madaras JG. Effect of zinc deficiency on bone collagenase and collagen turnover. J Nutr 1980;110:2095–102.
Lappalainen R, Knuuttila M, Lammi S, Alhava EM, Olkkonen H. Zn and Cu content in human cancellous bone. Acta Orthop Scand 1982;53:51–5.
Fraker PJ, Jardieu P, Cook J. Zinc deficiency and immune function. Arch Dermatol 1987;123:1699–701.
Stabel JR, Spears JW. Effect of copper on immune function and disease resistance. Adv Exp Med Biol 1989;258:243–52.
Milanino R, Frigo A, Bambara LM, Marrella M, Moretti U, Pasqualicchio M, et al. Copper and zinc status in rheumatoid arthritis: studies of plasma, erythrocytes and urine, and their relationship with disease activity markers and pharmacological treatment. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1993;11:271–81.
Honkanen VE, Pelkonen P, Mussalo-Rauhamaa H, Lehto J, Westermarck TW. Serum trace elements in juvenile chronic arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 1989;8:64–70.
Simkin PA. Oral zinc sulphate in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1976;2:539–42.
Rainsford KD. Environmental ion perturbations, especially as they affect copper status, are a factor in the etiology of arthritic conditions: an hypothesis. In: Sorenson JRJ, editor. Inflammatory disease and copper. Clifton, NJ, Humana Press, 1982:137–43.
Lipsky PE, Davis LS, Cush JJ, Oppenheimer-Marks N. The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Springer Semin Immunopathol 1989;11:123–62.
Eastgate JA, Symons JA, Wood NC, Grinlinton FM, Di Giovine FS. Correlation of plasma interleukin 1 levels with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1988;2:706–9.
Altomonte L, Zoli A, Mirone L, Scolieri P, Magarò M. Serum levels of interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 2 inrheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with disease activity. Clin Rheumatol 1992;11:202–5.
Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DS, et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1988;31:315–24.
Honkanen VE, Konttinen YT, Sorsa T, Hukkanen M, Kemptinen P, Santavirta S, et al. Serum zinc, copper and selenium in rheumatoid arthritis. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis 1988;5:261–3.
Honkanen VE, Lamberg-Allardt CH, Vesterinen MK, Letho TH, Westermarck TW, Metsa-Ketala TK, et al. Plasma zinc and copper concentrations in rheumatoid arthritis: influence of dietary factors and disease activity. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;54:1082–6.
Milanino R, Marrella M, Moretti U, Concari E, Velo GP. Copper and zinc status in rats and acute inflammation: focus on the inflamed area. Agents Actions 1988;24:356–64.
Milanino R, Moretti U, Concari E, Marrella M, Velo GP. Copper and zinc status in adjuvant-arthritic rat: studies on blood, liver, kidneys, splean and inflamed paws. Agents Actions 1988;24:365–76.
Driessen C, Hirv K, Kinchner H, Rink L. Zinc regulates cytokine induction by superantigens and lipopolysaccharide. Immunology 1995;84:272–7.
Davis MA, Johnson WT, Briscke-Anderson M, Kramer TR. Lymphoid cell functions during copper deficiency. Nutr Res 1987;7:211–22.
Duff GW. Cytokine and anti-cytokines. Br J Rheumatol 1993;32 (suppl 1):15–20.
Peretz A, Neve J, Famaey JP. Effects of chronic and acute corticosteroid therapy on zinc and copper status in rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Trace Element Electrolytes Health Dis 1989;3:103–8.
Cousins RJ. Absorption, transport and hepatic metabolism of copper and zinc: special reference to metallothionein and ceruloplasmin. Physiol Rev 1985;65:283–309.
Cousins RJ, Leinart AS. Tissue specific regulation of zinc metabolism and metallothionein genes by interleukin-1. FASEB J 1988;2:2884–90.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zoli, A., Altomonte, L., Caricchio, R. et al. Serum zinc and copper in active rheumatoid arthritis: Correlation with interleukin 1β and tumour necrosis factor α. Clin Rheumatol 17, 378–382 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450895
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450895