Serum Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Magnesium Status of Subjects with Chronic Fluorosis

This study was designed to investigate the serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and magnesium (Mg) status in a group of subjects with chronic fluorosis. Fifteen subjects diagnosed with fluorosis who live near Van, Turkey in the fluoride-polluted volcanic Tendurek Mountain region (altitude ca. 2000 m) were randomly selected to represent the fluorotic group. Fifteen healthy individuals living near this region matched for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status were selected as controls. None of the participants had taken any vitamin or mineral supplements for at least 2 weeks before blood samples were drawn after overnight fasting. Subjects with chronic fluorosis had lower serum Cu, Zn, Mn, and Mg levels than did the controls, and it was therefore concluded that chronic fluorosis is associated with decreased serum levels of these minerals.