2021 Volume 5 Pages 64-71
Background: Zinc (Zn) is highly important for metabolism in humans and its deficiency is associated with various diseases. The present retrospective study has assessed the serum Zn level in cases of acute stroke.
Methods: Study cohort included 47 patients (mean age, 73 years) with minor (N = 27), moderate (N = 13), and severe (N = 7) stroke. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission varied from 1 to 40 (median, 3).
Results: Serum Zn level ranged from 23 to 102 μg/dL (mean, 68.4 μg/dL). It inversely correlated with the NIHSS score (P = 0.0340), was associated with the stroke severity (P = 0.0133), was significantly lower in patients with thrombotic stroke (P = 0.0434), and inversely correlated with the age of patient (P = 0.0220). In those aged >74 years (N = 23), but not in younger individuals, serum Zn level inversely correlated with the NIHSS score (P = 0.0155) and was associated with the stroke severity (P = 0.0117).
Conclusions: In patients with acute stroke the serum Zn level is frequently decreased. It is associated with the stroke severity, thrombotic type, and older age, and may contribute to more severe clinical course of the disease among the elderly.
