Comparison Levels of Copper, Zinc, and Cu/Zn Ratio of in Pre-eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction
 Preeclampsia is a syndrome that occurs in pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema. Zinc and copper are micronutrients that play a role in the performance of several important enzymes in the human body, such as CuZnSOD and ACE2 enzymes that play a role in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia. Zinc also plays a role in the kallikrein-kinin system in the formation of bradykinin which then acts as a vasodilator. This study plans to compare the level of copper (Cu), Zink (Zn), and Cu/Zn ratio in preeclamtic and normal pregnancy women.
 Method
 The study recruited 30 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia who were treated at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung and 30 normal pregnant women at one of the Independent Practice Midwives in the Cibabat area, which was conducted in the period September 2021 - November 2021. This research was an analytical observational study with a cross sectional study design. Cu and Zn levels were examined using inductively coupleds plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chi Square, student’s t test, Mann Whitney and multivariat analysis were used for statistical analysis.
 Results
 The results of this study showed that the average Cu levels were higher in severe preeclampsia (mean: 2.149 vs. 2.116 mol/L, p=0.728). The median Zn level in the subjects with severe preeclampsia was higher than in normal pregnancies (58 vs 49 g/dL, p<0.001). The median Cu/Zn ratio in severe preeclampsia subjects was lower than in normal pregnancies (0.034 vs 0.063 g/dL, p=0.021).
 Conclusion
 Zn levels was significantly increased in the preeclampsia group, Cu levels was not significantly increased in the preeclampsia group and the ratio of Cu/Zn levels was significantly decreased in preeclampsia group compared to normal pregnancies.