Effects of B-lymphocyte dysfunction on the serum copper, selenium and zinc levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of B-lymphocyte dysfunction on the serum copper, selenium and zinc levels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to provide evidence for clinical practice. METHODS Sixty RA patients enrolled in our hospital from August 2009 to August 2013 were selected as the observation group. Another 60 healthy subjects who received physical examinations in our hospital were selected as the control group. Their B-lymphocyte stimulator (BlyS) levels and CD19(+)CD25(+) lymphocyte percentages were determined. The levels of trace elements were measured, and correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS The BlyS levels of the observation group and the control group were (0.39±0.21) ng/ml and (0.13±0.04) ng/ml respectively, which were significantly different (P<0.05). The percentages of CD25(+), CD19(+) and CD19(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum copper, selenium and zinc levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the BlyS level was correlated with the levels of copper, selenium and zinc respectively (r=-0.541, -0.370, -0.430, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Rheumatoid Arthritis may be induced by BlyS-mediated B-lymphocyte dysplasia and dysfunction, accompanied by decreased expressions of copper, selenium and zinc.