Salivary trace elements in patients with ulcerative colitis on different treatment modalities

The nutritional status of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is considered less than ideal. This study aimed to compare the salivary levels of some trace elements (Zinc, copper, and magnesium) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) on two different therapeutic modalities to control subjects. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2021-2022 on 53 diagnosed UC patients (27 UC patients on oral immunosuppressant therapy and 26 UC patients on combination therapy). All subjects were randomly selected from gastroenterology and Hepatology teaching hospitals in Baghdad city; twenty-five subjects were also recruited as controls. Demographic data were recorded through a checklist. Salivary levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Data were analyzed using SPSS-28 at a significance level of 0.05. The results: Salivary Zn mean was significantly lower in monotherapy and combination therapy patients than in controls (p<0.001). Mean salivary Cu levels were significantly higher in monotherapy and combination therapy patients than in controls (p<0.001). Similarly, the salivary Mg mean was significantly lower in both groups of ulcerative colitis patients than in controls (p<0.001). The mean of salivary Cu was higher in UC patients, while the men of Zn and Mg were lower in UC patients compared to controls. Conclusions: The results showed that UC patients have significantly lower Zn and Mg levels than healthy individuals and were lower inpatient on monotherapy than in combination. At the same time, salivary Cu in UC patients was higher than in control individuals and was higher in UC patients on monotherapy. Keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases, Ulcerative colitis, Trace elements