Selenium and copper status - potential signposts for neurological remission after traumatic spinal cord injury

Julian Seelig; Raban Arved Heller; Julian Hackler; Patrick Haubruck; Arash Moghaddam; Bahram Biglari; Lutz Schomburg

doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.126415

Selenium and copper status - potential signposts for neurological remission after traumatic spinal cord injury

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2020 Jan:57:126415. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.126415. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Authors

Julian Seelig¹, Raban Arved Heller², Julian Hackler¹, Patrick Haubruck³, Arash Moghaddam⁴, Bahram Biglari⁵, Lutz Schomburg⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Experimental Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
² Institute for Experimental Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Heidelberg Trauma Research Group, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
³ Heidelberg Trauma Research Group, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia.
⁴ Aschaffenburg Trauma and Orthopedic Research Group, Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Hospital Aschaffenburg-Alzenau, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
⁵ BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Department of Paraplegiology, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
⁶ Institute for Experimental Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Lutz.Schomburg@charite.de.

PMID: 31685353
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.126415

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) is a severe incident resulting in loss of motor and sensory function caused by complex pathological mechanisms including massive oxidative stress and extensive inflammatory processes. The essential trace elements selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) play crucial roles as part of the antioxidant defense.

Hypothesis: Remission after TSCI is associated with characteristic dynamics of early changes in serum Cu and Se status.

Study design: Single-center prospective observational study.

Patients and methods: Serum samples from TSCI patients were analyzed (n = 52); 21 recovered and showed a positive abbreviated injury score (AIS) conversion within 3 months (G1), whereas 21 had no remission (G0). Ten subjects with vertebral fractures without neurological impairment served as control (C). Different time points (at admission, and after 4, 9, 12, and 24 h) were analyzed for total serum Se and Cu concentrations by total reflection X-ray fluorescence, and for Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and Ceruloplasmin (CP) by sandwich ELISA.

Results: At admission, CP and SELENOP concentrations were higher in the remission group (G1) than in the non-remission group (G0). Within 24 h, there were marginal changes in Se, SELENOP, Cu and CP concentrations in the groups of controls (C) and G0. In contrast, these parameters decreased significantly in G1. Binary logistic regression analysis including Cu and Se levels at admission in combination with Se and CP levels after 24 h allowed a prediction for potential remission, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 87.7% (CI: 75.1%-100.0%).

Conclusion: These data indicate a strong association between temporal changes of the Se and Cu status and the clinical outcome after TSCI. The dynamics observed may reflect an ongoing redistribution of the trace elements in favor of a better anti-inflammatory response and a more successful neurological regeneration.

Keywords: Ceruloplasmin; Copper; Neurological remission; Selenium; Selenoprotein P; Trace element; Trauma; Traumatic spinal cord injury.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Antioxidants / metabolism
Ceruloplasmin / metabolism
Copper / blood*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Oxidative Stress / physiology
Prospective Studies
Selenium / blood*
Selenoprotein P / blood
Spinal Cord Injuries / blood*
Trace Elements / blood
Young Adult

Substances

Antioxidants
Selenoprotein P
Trace Elements
Copper
Ceruloplasmin
Selenium