Relationship between Copper, Zinc, and Copper-to-Zinc Ratio in Hair and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease according to the SYNTAX Score

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Coronary artery disease is a major cause of death worldwide, so it is important to find new changeable factors to prevent it. Some recent studies suggest that not having enough zinc and copper in the body might make plaque build up in heart arteries, which effects in coronary artery disease. In this study, we wanted to discover whether the amount of copper and zinc in hair could tell us something about plaque buildup. We looked at 130 patients and used a scoring system called the SYNTAX score to see how severe the plaque buildup in their heart arteries was. We also checked the copper and zinc levels in their hair and the ratio between these elements. The results showed that lower copper levels in hair and a lower copper-to-zinc ratio were linked to worse plaque buildup in heart arteries. However, we did not find a connection between zinc levels in hair and the severity of plaque buildup. Using hair samples might help us learn more about how copper and zinc affect coronary artery disease, but there is a need for more studies on this topic. ABSTRACT: Coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be a foremost contributor to global mortality, and the quest for modifiable risk factors could improve prophylactic strategies. Recent studies suggest a significant role of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) deficiency in atheromatous plaque formation. Furthermore, hair was previously described as a valuable source of information on elemental burden during the 6–8 week period before sampling. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of correlation between the extent of CAD evaluated with the SYNergy Between PCI With TAXUS and the Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score with Cu and Zn content in hair samples, as well as with the Cu/Zn ratio in a cohort of 130 patients. Our findings describe a statistically significant inverse correlation between Cu content and the Cu/Zn ratio in hair samples and the extent of CAD. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between Zn content and the extent of CAD. Considering the scarcity of existing data on the subject, the analysis of hair samples could yield a novel insight into elemental deficiencies and their potential influence on CAD extent.