Biochemical Assessment of Some Trace Elements in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease that has been recognized as an important global public health disorder. It is a leading risk factor for stroke, heart failure, kidney diseases, and sudden death; as such its effective management may go a long way in preventing some of these possible complications. In humans, trace elements play key roles in normal metabolic activities that are required for healthy living. It has been hypothesized that trace elements are key to normal heart functions. Thus, deficiency in one or more trace elements may result(s) in or accentuate heart disease(s). This study, therefore, assessed trace elements in hypertensive and control volunteers. Methods: A total number of two hundred and fifty-six(256) participants comprising of one hundred and sixtynine (169) hypertensive and eighty-seven (87) normotensive control volunteers participated in this study. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected from all participants. The blood samples were collected into plain vacutainer and were allowed to clot. The samples were centrifuged and the serum from each sample was aspirated and analyzed for trace elements {Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe)} using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and calcium using Cobas C-111. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean age and weight of the participants. However, the mean body mass index (BMI), systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive volunteers were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the controls. The mean Cu and Fe were higher (p<0.05) in hypertensive volunteers whereas the mean Zn, Se, and calcium were not different (p>0.05) between the two groups that participated in this study. There were positive associations between body mass index, systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), and Cu whereas negative correlations existed between body mass index, Zn, and Se, among hypertensive volunteers. Conclusion: From this study, it appears that high blood pressure among Nigerian population is associated with elevated serum copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) trace elements. These may play a part in accentuation of hypertension in some of the volunteers if not properly monitored. Also hypertensive individuals also presented an increased body mass index (BMI) which could also complicate effective management of hypertension .