You have full access to this open access article. We aimed to evaluate age-dependent changes of six trace elements TE [manganese Mn , iron Fe , zinc Zn , copper Cu , iodine I , and selenium Se ] over a year period. TE concentrations were determined using repeated serum samples taken at baseline and after 20 years of follow-up from healthy participants of the EPIC-Potsdam study, using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry.
For each TE, absolute and relative differences were calculated between the two time points, as well as the proportion of individuals within normal reference ranges. Interdependence between age-related TE differences was investigated using principal component analysis PCA.
Relationships between selected factors lifestyle, sociodemographic, anthropometric factors, and hypertension and corresponding TE longitudinal variability were examined using multivariable linear regression models. Median age of our study sample was A substantial percentage of the participants, at both time points, had Zn concentrations below the reference range. The first PCA-extracted factor reflected the correlated decline in both Mn and Zn over time while the second factor reflected the observed on average increase in both Cu and I over time.
Overall, none of the investigated factors were strong determinants of TE longitudinal variability, except possibly dietary supplement use, and alcohol use for Fe.
In conclusion, in this population-based study of healthy elderly, decrease in Mn, Zn, and Se concentrations and increase in Fe, Cu, and I concentrations were observed over 20 years of follow-up. Further research is required to investigate dietary determinants and markers of TE status as well as the relationships between TE profiles and the risk of age-related diseases. Essential trace elements TE are micronutrients that are found in very small amounts in the human body. They play indispensable roles for maintaining human health as they are involved in various metabolic processes and signaling pathways [ 1 ].
