Serum Trace Elements (Cu, Zn, Se, and Al) and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactants (TBARS) in Hemodialysis Patients from Batna (Algeria)

Abstract

In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), serum zinc (1,2) and selenium (2–4) concentrations generally decrease, whereas serum copper (1,5) and aluminum (1,6) concentrations increase. These variations could be related to the low dietary intake due to protein restriction or poor appetite, decreased gastrointestinal absorption, decreased bioavailabillity due to drug interactions, inflammatory process and interaction with dialysis membrane (7,8). On the other hand, trace element status variations in CRF patients could explain biochemical and clinical manifestations occuring in these patients. Hypogeusia, taste and smell dysfunctions, hypogonadism, hair-loss, dermatitis, anemia, fatigue, immunodepression, atherosclerosis, osteomalacia and encephalopathy could be in part explained by zinc and selenium deficiencies or aluminum intoxication (6–11). The decrease of serum zinc and selenium concentrations associated to the increase of serum aluminum concentrations in CRF patients could contribute to the high level of thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBARS) reported in hemodialyzed patients (2,12,13). Influence of hemodialysis session have not been extensively investigated (1,5,10). Serum zinc and selenium concentrations increase (1,5,10), whereas serum copper and aluminum concentrations remain unchanged (1,5).