Plasma and erythrocyte levels of trace elements in healthy elderly

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was an assessment of Mg, Zn and Cu in plasma and erythrocytes of healthy elderly. The examined subjects were: 20 old over 80 years and a control group of 32 healthy individuals under 60 years. The levels of trace elements were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS - 3030 B Perkin Elmer spectrophotometer). The data showed normal plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of Mg in healthy elderly. Plasma Cu level indicated an elevation, while intraerythrocytic Cu showed the opposite tendency of significant decreasing in the group over 80 years (80-89 years) in comparison to controls (11,35±5,30 µmol/l vs 16,75 ±5,60 µmol/l ). Plasma Zn was in normal limits with a slight tendency of decreasing, while RBC Zn was significantly lower in both elderly groups in comparison to controls: in 80-89 years pts - 158,14 ±43,79 µmol/l and in 90-102 years pts - 150,00 ±23,85 µmol/l vs 230,70 ±51,39 µmol/l in the controls. Our data showed that the estimation of intraerythrocytic levels of Cu, Zn and Mg gives us a more important information for their actual status and indicates a deficiency of Cu and Zn in old subjects. We recommend food enrichment with Zn even in healthy elderly individuals. Abbreviations: copper (Cu), erythrocytes (RBC), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) KEY. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008;40(1):27-30