Evaluation of serum levels of copper and selenium in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative gastritis patients

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can result in various complications, included micronutrient variations, nutritional impairment, gastric tissue damages and oxidative stress. The present study aimed to evaluate serum variations of Cu and Se in H. pylori infected individuals. A prospective case-control study was performed on 69 participants with abdominal pains (40 patients with H. pylori gastritis versus 29 control group). Serum levels of Cu and Se were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Comparisons of elements between included groups were done using independent sample t-test. Subgroup analysis between male and female (with or without H. pylori) was performed using one way analysis of variance. Correlation between serum Cu and Se was assessed using Pearson’s correlation test. The p-value levels less than 0.05 were considered as significant. There were no significant differences in serum levels of Cu and Se between H. pylori positive and negative persons. In male with H. pylori, Se levels were 38.4% higher than control male (p-value=0.03). A positive and significant correlation was observed between serum Cu and Se levels (r = 0.51, P-value = 0.024). Although no statistic difference was observed in serum Cu and Se levels, the significant correlation between measured elements represents as good evidence for some discrepancies. Given the importance of well controlled micronutrients in whole body health, especially in high-risk H. pylori patients, more studies are needed to clarify the exact relation of these and other trace elements with H. pylori outcomes.