August 2016 Vol. 4 No.8

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Original Research Article

Relationships between parameters of iron metabolism and serum concentrations of copper and selenium in women with normal and problem pregnancies

Tsvetelina Petkova-Marinova^1*, Boryana Ruseva¹, Bisera Atanasova², Bozhanka Paneva-Barzashka³, Pavlina Laleva⁴ and Viktor Petrov⁵

¹Department of Physiology, Medical University – Pleven 1, St. Kliment Ohridski Str., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
²University Hospital “Alexandrovska”, Department of Clinical and Immunological Laboratory, Medical University ‒ Sofia 1, St. Georgi Sofiiski Blvd., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
³Medical Center Clinical Institute for Reproductive Medicine – Pleven 20, Skobelev Blvd., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
⁴Medical College of Medical University – Pleven, Bulgaria 38, Rousse Blvd., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
⁵Medical University – Pleven, Bulgaria 1, St. Kliment Ohridski Str., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria

^*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: cveti_doc@abv.bg
Tel.: +3598896623219, +35964884218

Accepted June 15, 2016

Abstract

Published data show that homeostasis of iron, copper and selenium is tightly interlinked. The aim of our study was to determine the relationships between parameters of iron metabolism and serum concentrations of copper and selenium in women with normal and problem pregnancies. We conducted a prospective case control study including 14 pregnant women: 8 with normal and 6 with problem pregnancies. Haematological parameters haemoglobin, haematocrit, RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC; biochemical markers ‒ serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ransferring saturation; serum concentrations of copper and selenium were determined in all women between 16-18 weeks of gestation. The group of problem pregnancies was followed up between 30-32 weeks of gestation. Significantly higher mean ransferring saturation (38.11±3.52% vs. 25.74±2.66%; p=0.0207) and lower mean serum selenium concentration (779.4±37.53 nmol/l vs. 1019.38±29.67; p=0.0004) were found in problem pregnancies at the beginning of second trimester compared to the normal ones. Correlation analysis of laboratory parameters at the beginning of third trimester revealed that serum copper concentrations in problem pregnancies were significantly inversely related with serum iron (r=‒0.9045; p=0.0349) and ransferring saturation (r=‒0.9882; p=0.0015), whereas serum selenium was positively correlated with serum iron (r=0.9082; p=0.0329) and negatively with serum copper (r=‒0.8590; p=0.0284). Dynamical assessment of parameters of iron metabolism and serum concentrations of copper and selenium during pregnancy would allow appropriate trace element supplementation, would optimize its period and duration for the purpose of carrying and delivering healthy children.

Key words: Copper, Dynamical assessment, Iron metabolism, Pregnancy, Selenium