Plasma Levels of Magnesium and Copper Among Sudanese Patients with Bronchial Asthma ( in Khartoum State)

Abstract

Background: Trace elements are essential micronutrients that exist in very low concentrations in the body, forming 0.01% of the total body weight. They play an important role in various physiological processes, and are crucial for proper functioning of the immune system. Materials and methods: This cross sectoinal case control study was carried out to measure the levels of magnesium and copper in Sudanese asthmatic patients attending alshaab teaching hospital, Khartoum state, during the period from July to Septemper 2017.Fifty Sudanese asthmatic patients, including 28 males (aged 8-65years), and 22 females (aged 9-54years), were enrolled in this study, also fifty matched healthy individuals to serve as control group.Three ml of venous blood were collected from each participant, the plasmaobtained magnesium and copper levels were measured by using Mindary BA 88A. Results:Statistical analysis of obtained results revealed that; mean of plasma levels of magnesium was insignificantly differ among asthmatic patients compared to control groupmagnesium P.value (0.072)mean ± SD: (1.92 ± 0.26 mg/dL versus 2.01 ± 0.20 mg/dL). but the levels of copper was significantly increased compared to control group P.value(0.000)mean ±SD: (23.82 ±5.05 μmol/L versus 20.20 ± 3.15 μmol/L). In asthmatic patients plasma levels of magnesium and copper not influenced by age (r= - 0.167, p-value= 0.246 forMg)(r= 0.038, p-value= 0.793 forCu ) and duration of disease (r= - 0.206, p-value= 0.151 for Mg) (r= 0.061, p-value= 0.675 for Cu ).Conclusionplasma concentration of magnesium was insignificantly differ in asthmatic patients but plasma concentration of copper was significantly higher.