Study on Reference Range of Zinc, Copper and Copper/Zinc Ratio in Childbearing Women of China

Background: Copper and zinc are both essential elements in humans, that play various biological roles in body functions. Population-based reference values have not yet been established in China especially in childbearing women. The aim of this study is to establish a reference value of Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratios in childbearing women aged 18–44 from a representative population in China. Method: A total of 191 healthy childbearing women aged 18–44 years old were enrolled from the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (2015) in this study with a series strict inclusion criteria. Basic biological indicators (weight, height, waist, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, fast glycose, HbA1c, blood pressure, uric acid) and elements levels in plasma and whole blood were collected. The 2.5th to 97.5th was used to represent the reference range of Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn ratio. Results: The reference range of Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratio in plasma were 70.46–177.53 µg/dL, 74.30–170.68 µg/dL and 0.54–1.68, respectively. The reference range of Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratios in whole blood were 402.49–738.05, 74.63–124.52 and 0.13–0.25 µg/dL, respectively. Conclusion: The reference range of Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratios in plasma and whole blood of healthy Chinese childbearing women could be used as an indicator to evaluate the status of element deficiency and overload.