%0 Journal Article
%T Trace Element Levels in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever
%A Kadir Yildirim
%A Hulya Uzkeser
%A Abdullah Uyanik
%A Saliha Karatay
%J Eurasian Journal of Medicine
%D 2011
%I Aves Yayincilik
%X Objective: Although the genetic etiology of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is known, limited information is available regarding the regulation of inflammation during attack-free periods. The aim of this study was to determine the alterations in serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels that may be associated with inflammation during attack-free periods in FMF patients.Materials and Methods: This study included 33 patients with FMF and 30 healthy volunteers. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and serum levels of Cu, Zn and Se in FMF patients and healthy volunteers were assessed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Results: ESR and serum CRP levels and serum Cu and Zn levels were similar between patients with FMF during an attack-free period and healthy controls (p>0.05). Serum Se levels in the patient group were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our study shows that levels of trace elements in serum are variable in patients with FMF during attack-free periods. Serum Se concentrations may at least in part contribute to the subclinical inflammation in FMF patients during attack-free periods. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this result.
%K Copper
%K Familial Mediterranean fever
%K Selenium
%K Trace elements
%K Zinc
%U http://www.eajm.org/text.php3?id=392