Zinc Deficiency is Associated with Meprin a in Iraqi Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Zinc deficiency in Crohn’s disease (CD)is considered a frequent finding and may exacerbate CD activity. We aimed to assess the prevalence of zinc deficiency in CD patients in clinical remission, its association with meprin and to analyze a potential impact on future disease course. Proper history with blood samples were collected from (30) healthy control group, (30) Crohn’s disease patients have been respond to biological therapy ( infliximab IFX) (response group) and (30) CD patients with (non-response group) to biological therapy undergoing surgical intervention for the estimation of zinc concentration and meprin activity. This study demonstrate a significant decrease in both zinc and meprin levels between (non- response group) and control group (p< 0.01). Similarly , zinc and meprin levels were decreased significantly ( p< 0.01) in (non- response) group as compared with re sponse group. While there were no differences between control and CD patients that have been treated with infliximab only. Meprin α is a zinc metalloproteinase, and therefore a deficiency of zinc may result in a decrease of meprin level or activity. Thus, we should maintain the balance between the meprin α that is affected by the zinc concentration then may affect the Crohn disease.