Selenium and Mercury Concentrations in Biological Samples from Patients with COVID-19

Overview

Journal J Trace Elem Med Biol

Specialties Endocrinology
Environmental Health

Date 2022 Jul 21

PMID 35863260

Authors

Ghulam Qadir Chanihoon

Hassan Imran Afridi

Ahsanullah Unar

Farah Naz Talpur

Hadi Bakhsh Kalochi

Rayan Nassani

Nazia Laghari

Najam Uddin

Ali Ghulam

Anees Ur Rahman Chandio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease affecting multiple organs. Furthermore, viral infection depletes several trace elements and promotes complex biochemical reactions in the body. Smoking has been linked to the incidence of COVID-19 and associated mortality, and it may impact clinical effects, viral and bacterial conversion, and treatment outcomes.

Objectives: To study the relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 and the elemental concentrations of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) in biological samples from smokers and nonsmokers infected with the virus and in healthy individuals.

Method: We evaluated changes in the concentrations of essential (Se) and toxic (Hg) elements in biological samples (blood, nasal fluid, saliva, sputum, serum, and scalp hair) collected from male smokers and nonsmokers (aged 29-59 years) infected with COVID-19 and from healthy men in the same age group. The patients lived in different cities in Sindh Province, Pakistan. The Se and Hg concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results: Se concentrations in all types of biological samples from smokers and nonsmokers with COVID-19 were lower than those of healthy smokers and nonsmokers. Hg concentrations were elevated in both smokers and nonsmokers with COVID-19.

Conclusions: In the current study, persons infected with COVID-19 had higher concentrations of toxic Hg, which could cause physiological disorders, and low concentrations of essential Se, which can also cause weakness. COVID-19 infection showed positive correlations with levels of mercury and selenium. Thus, additional clinical and experimental investigations are essential.

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