Comparative Study of Elemental Concentrations in the Scalp Hair and Nails of Myocardial Infarction Patients Versus Controls from Pakistan.

Ischemia heart disease has become a ubiquitous cause of morbidity and a leading contributor to mortality worldwide. The present study was aimed to quantify the elemental levels for Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, and Zn in the scalp hair and nails of myocardial infarction (MI) patients and counterpart controls by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The effects of elemental imbalances on the development of atherosclerosis were evaluated. Average concentrations of Pb (14.7 μg/g), Sr (21.6 μg/g), and Cr (3.70 μg/g) were significantly higher in the scalp hair of the patients, while those of Na, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Cd were measured at almost comparable levels in the scalp hair of the patients and controls. In the case of nail samples, average concentrations of Na (1260 μg/g), K (873 μg/g), Sr (70.9 μg/g), Cu (16.6 μg/g), and Mn (16.9 μg/g) were significantly higher in the patients than controls. The correlation study revealed significantly divergent mutual variations among the elements in MI patients and controls. Principal component analysis also manifested the diverse apportionment of the elements in both donor groups. Most of the elements revealed significant disparities in their concentrations based on gender, abode, and smoking habits of the donors in both groups. In conclusion, the elemental imbalance has potential proatherogenic effect that would have a significant impact on sensitive population groups.