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DECREASED SERUM ZINC LEVELS CORRELATE WITH DISEASE SEVERITY IN EXPERIMENTAL SEPSIS
Author(s) -
Mueller Cathy M,
Hardin Rosemarie,
Pierre Joelle,
Schulze Robert,
Lin Yinyao,
Viterbo Domenico,
Zenilman Michael E,
Bluth Martin H
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a767-d
Subject(s) - medicine , sepsis , zinc , laparotomy , gastroenterology , biomarker , surgery , biology , biochemistry , materials science , metallurgy
Serum zinc levels are modulated in several diseases, including sepsis. We hypothesize that serum zinc levels correlate with sepsis and may prove as a useful biomarker for disease severity. METHODS: 89 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized to rat cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model or sham laparotomy. Serum was collected from survivors at baseline, 5 and 24 hours and 13 days post surgery. Animals which died within 24 hrs post surgery were excluded. Animal death after 24 hours was confirmatory for sepsis. Comparisons were made with Students two‐tailed t‐tests. Serum zinc results are in μg/L +/− SD. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated similar baseline zinc levels (1462 +/− 160) and an approximate 50% drop from baseline at 5 hours (722 +/−163, p=<0.01). At 24 hours, zinc levels were higher in shams when compared with CLP group (994 +/− 129 vs. 585 +/− 275, p<0.01). Survival was greater in the sham group compared to CLP group at 13 days (p=<0.05) and serum zinc levels were higher and approached baseline levels in all 13 day survivors when compared with sham 24 hr levels (1148 +/− 255 vs. 994 +/− 129, p<0.05). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of using reduction in serum zinc levels from 5 to 24hrs were 85% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc levels decreased in a sensitive and reproducible manner after laparotomy and maintained reduced levels in those that became septic by CLP. Furthermore, zinc levels approached baseline values in survivors suggesting the usefulness of zinc as a marker for recovery. Progressive reduction of serum zinc levels over 2 time points may provide a sensitive predictor of sepsis severity. Further investigation of zinc metabolism and homeostasis may provide useful prognostic indicators for effective patient management in sepsis.