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Interaction Between Selenium and Mercury in Biological Samples of Pakistani Myocardial Infarction Patients at Different Stages as Related to Controls

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Abstract

It has been speculated that trace elements may a play role in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. In the present study, we aimed to assess the levels of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of myocardial infarction (MI) patients of both genders (age range 45–60 years) at the first, second, and third heart attack (n = 130), hospitalized in a cardiac ward of a civil hospital of Hyderabad City (Pakistan). For comparison, healthy age-matched referent subjects (n = 61) of both genders were also selected. Se and Hg in biological samples were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to microwave acid digestion, respectively. The validity of the methodology was checked by biological certified reference materials. During this study, 78 % of the 32 registered patients of third MI attack (aged >50 years) died. The concentration of Se was decreased in scalp hair and blood samples of MI patients, while Hg was higher in all biological samples as compared to referent subjects. Se concentration was inversely associated with the risk of MI attacks in both genders. These results add to an increasing body of evidence that Se is a protective element for cardiovascular health.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for sponsoring this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, 76080, Pakistan

    Hassan Imran Afridi, Tasneem Gul Kazi, Farah Naz Talpur, Sadaf Sadia Arain, Salma Aslam Arain, Kapil Dev Brahman, Abdul Haleem Panhwar &  Naeemullah

  2. Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, 76080, Pakistan

    Atif Kazi

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  1. Hassan Imran Afridi
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Correspondence to Hassan Imran Afridi.

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Afridi, H.I., Kazi, T.G., Talpur, F.N. et al. Interaction Between Selenium and Mercury in Biological Samples of Pakistani Myocardial Infarction Patients at Different Stages as Related to Controls. Biol Trace Elem Res 158, 143–151 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-9932-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-9932-8

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