Background: The pathogenesis of some heart diseases has been associated with changes in the balance of certain trace elements. We examined the association of iron, copper and zinc between biological samples (scalp hair, whole blood and urine) and mortality from myocardial infarction (MI) patients of (first, second and third heart attack).
Methods: The biological samples were from 130 MI patients (77 male and 53 female, age range 45-60 years) and 61 healthy age-matched controls (33 male and 28 female). The metals in the biological samples were measured by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The validity of the methodology was checked by the biological certified reference materials.
Results: During this study, 78% of the 32 patients aged >50 years, registered after the third MI attack died. In these subjects the concentration of Fe and Cu were increased by 0.83% and 3.12% in the scalp hair while in blood samples 9.7% and 22.5% were enhanced respectively, as compared to those who tolerated 3rd MI attack (p=0.072). The concentrations of Zn in whole blood and scalp hair samples were lower in MI patients as compared to normal subjects.
Conclusion: Deficiency of zinc and high concentration of copper and iron may play a role in the development of heart disease.