Background: Selenium (Se) is part of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme complex (GSH-PX) that plays an important role in antioxidant mechanisms in body, also it has been demonstrated that populations with low Se intake have 2-3 times greater risk of ischemic heart disease.
Objective: To determine the circulating levels of IL- 6, TNF-alpha, Cu, Zn, and Se in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CCAD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and normal individuals.
Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: 25 subjects with CCAD and 25 patients with AMI. The control group included 50 normal individuals who did not have any history of ischemic heart disease, and were sex and age matched with the patients. Blood samples were collected during the first hours after the onset of chest pain in AMI group. Serum concentration of Se, Cu, and Zn were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA method.
Results: In both groups of patients there was a significant reduction in serum Se levels (82.36 + 11.31 g/L in CCAD, 74.08+11.31g/L in AMI, and 105+32.52g/L in the control group, p=0.03). TNF-alpha titers were increased in AMI patients compared with CCAD and control group. Mean TNF-alpha levels were 37.44 pg/ml in CCAD, 914.32 pg/ml in AMI, and 4.80 pg/ml in the control group (p=0.01). Serum levels of IL-6 in CCAD and AMI patients were 3.28 15.55 pg/ml and 472207.88 pg/ml, respectively, and 1.28 pg/ml in the control group (p=0.001).
Conclusion: These findings confirm previous studies and demonstrate that patients suffering from AMI exhibit lower plasma concentrations of Se and higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines of TNF-alpha and IL-6.