부산대학교 도서관

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0946-672X(00)80016-4 Byline: A.M. Viegas-Crespo (1), M.L. Pavao (*), O. Paulo (1), V. Santos (**), M.C. Santos (***), J. Neve (****) Abstract: Data on selenium, copper and zinc in serum of Portuguese inhabitants of the city of Ponta Delgada - Azores Archipelago are reported for the first time. The subjects are of both sexes, aged 20 to 60 years, and non-abusers of alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Serum concentrations of these elements are in the same range than those found for populations of Lisbon and of some other European countries. Differences between sexes are observed, with serum selenium and zinc levels being higher in males than in females, and the copper levels being higher in females as compared to males. These results can be explained by the hormonal status and/or oral contraceptive steroids intake, particularly for copper. Concerning lipid profile, the majority of individuals have serum lipid parameters within the normal range. In addition, no difference in trace element levels between normo and hyperlipidemic individuals is observed and no conclusive results about the relationship of all evaluated parameters to alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption are observed, in agreement with data obtained in the population of Lisbon. Author Affiliation: (1) C.B.A., Dept. Zoology, Faculty Sciences, University Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (*) Dept. Technological Sciences and Development, University Azores, 9500-Ponta Delgada, Portugal (**) Hosp. Ponta Delgada, 9500-Ponta Delgada, Portugal (***) C.E.B.F., Inst. Scient. Res. Bento da Rocha Cabral, Dept. Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty Sciences, University Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (****) Inst. Pharmacy, Free University of Brussels, Campus Plaine 205-5, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Article History: Received April 1999