Evaluation of Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, and Zinc in Biological Samples of Psoriasis Patients Living in Pakistani Cement Factory Area

Abstract

Psoriasis is a noncontiguous common and chronic skin disorder. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of trace elements cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of psoriasis patients of both gender age ranged (25-55 years) at mild, moderate severe, and more severe stage (n = 418) living in the vicinity of cement factory. For comparison purposes, healthy age-matched referent subjects, residents of industrial and non-industrial area, of both gender were also selected (n = 241). The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and conventional wet acid digestion method on same CRMs and real samples. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair, blood, and urine samples of mild and severe psoriasis patients as compared to referents (p < 0.001), while the concentration of Zn was lower in the scalp hair and blood, but higher in the urine samples of psoriasis patients. The deficiency of Zn in psoriasis patients may be undoubtedly caused by the toxic element exposures via cement factory.

Trace elements and oxidative stress status in patients with psoriasis

“…Some researchers reported that serum Zn levels were extremely low in psoriasis patients [38][39][40][41]. However Ala et al [5] and Kreft et al [42] did not find a statistically significant difference between psoriasis patients and healthy controls with regard to Zn levels.…”

“…Copper is related with several metalloproteins and one fraction in serum (5%) binds to albumin loosely and another binds to globulin (ceruloplasmin) tightly [40]. As ceruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant and more than 90% of serum copper is transferred with ceruloplasmin, elevated Cu levels could only be an inflammation marker [40,44]. Basavaraj et al [18] evaluated Cu levels in psoriasis patients and found that serum Cu levels were higher in both mild and severe groups compared to the control group.…”

Reference values of cadmium, arsenic and manganese in blood and factors associated with exposure levels among adult population of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

“…For instance, the P95 of Cd was 2.31 lg L À1 in adults living in an industrial area in Tunisia (Khlifi et al, 2014). Mean Cd blood level was 24.10 lg L À1 in Chinese people residing in a polluted area (Wang et al, 2011); 9.81 lg L À1 in adults living in the vicinity of a cement factory in Pakistan (Afridi et al, 2011a); and 1.70 lg L À1 in Korean residents near municipal waste incinerators (Lee et al, 2012).…”

Exploring the link between cadmium and psoriasis in a nationally representative sample

“…A 3-year follow-up study evaluated participants with psoriasis from the Pakistan Cement Factory area. The mean values of cadmium were significantly higher in the scalp, hair, blood, and urine samples of patients with mild and severe psoriasis, as compared with control 46 . However, the Pakistan study has no possible mechanism of interaction and participants were limited to those in the Pakistan Cement Factory area.…”