Blood Heavy and Trace Metal Profiles and Their Association with Hirsutism in Young Adult Females in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hirsutism poses serious concern, embarrassment, poor self-esteem, and psychological distress for its young adult-female sufferers in an African population like Nigeria. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the blood levels of trace metals; Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se) and heavy metals; Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As) in young adult females with Hirsutism in Owerri, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of fourty (40) young adult females with Hirsutism and 40 age-matched female controls. Venous blood samples from all participants were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method for blood trace metals and heavy metals. SPSS version 23 was employed in the statistical Analysis of the data obtained. Results: There were significantly higher mean blood levels of Pb [9.93 ± 0.49 vs. 8.13 ± 2.03 µg/dl, p= 0.001], Cd [0.22 ± 0.04 vs. 0.20 ± 0.01 µg/dl, p=0.001] and As [0.32 ± 0.04 vs. 0.10 ± 0.06 µg/dl, p=0.000] in young adult females with hirsutism compared to the controls. While there were significantly lower mean blood levels of Zn [70.32 ± 13.84 Versus 87.54 ± 29.83 µg/dl, p=0.013], Cu [52.40 ± 16.74 versus 121.50 ± 17.21 µg/dl, p=0.000] and Se [11.60 ± 8.42 versus. 29.83 ± 7.92 µg/dl, p=0.000] in young adult females with hirsutism compared to controls. There were significant positive correlation of blood Cu with blood Se [r = 0.621, p=0.003] and Zn [r = 0.538, p= 0.014] in young adult females with hirsutism. While there were significant negative correlation of blood Cu with Pb [r = -0.472, p= 0.036], As [r= -0.610, p=0.004] and Cd [r = -0.724, p=0.000] in young adult females with hirsutism. There was a significant positive correlation of blood Cd with blood Pb [r = 0.842, p = 0.000], but significant negative correlations of blood Cd with Se [ r =  -0.936, p = 0.000]. Conclusion: High blood levels of Pb, Cd and As parallels low blood levels of Zn, Cu and Se in young adult females with hirsutism. The alterations in the blood levels of these heavy and trace metals may in part be associated with the development of hirsutism in this environment, via endocrine disruption, metabolic dysregulation, and oxidative stress.