Effect of isoproterenol (ISO) on rat heart,liver, kidney,and muscle tissue levels of zinc,copper, and magnesium

X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry were used to measure the concentrations of zinc, copper, and magnesium in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney following isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis in male albino rats. Serum activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) were also measured. There was depletion of myocardial zinc, copper, and magnesium on d 1, followed by an uptake of all these elements on d 2. The liver showed a significant uptake of magnesium, along with depletion of copper. There was no change in the kidney and skeletal muscle concentrations of these elements. Possible explanations for the observed changes and their therapeutic significance are presented.     

Copper exposure and potential biomarkers of copper metabolism

Relevant biological effects associated with mild to moderate copper deficiency and copper excess are unknown. It is difficult to identify markers of these early changes because limits of the homeostatic range are still undefined and early changes may represent adaptive responses that do not imply necessarily risk of damage. We report here a series of studies carried out to shed light on the responses within the homeostatic range, by assessing classic parameters of copper status in humans at different copper exposure. In adult healthy volunteers that had an estimated daily intake of 0.9 mg Cu/day (approximately 15 g/kg/d), exposure to additional 50–60 g of copper/kg/day for three months or up to 150 g/kg/d for two months resulted in no significant changes of SOD activity in erythrocytes, of copper concentration (in serum, erythrocytes and mononuclear cells) and of serum ceruloplasmin (ANOVA). Neither were found differences by gender or age. As in previous studies in infants, the non-ceruloplasmin copper fraction was positively correlated to serum copper (r=0.58). Assessing variations on copper absorption, infants supplemented/not supplemented with oral copper (80 ug/kg/14 days), at age 1 and 3 months, showed copper absorption close to 80% at both ages; no effect was observed for age or supplementation, suggesting that either these concentrations do not elicit regulatory mechanisms or that at this age down regulation for copper absorption is not efficient. These studies indicate that in the range of the copper homeostasis area the markers tested are not suitable to detect mild changes (within the homeostatic range) of copper metabolism.     

Intra-group variations in the dental eruption sequence of Macaca fuscata fuscata

The purpose of this investigation was to establish general trends of intra-group variations in the dental eruption sequence of a semi-wild troop of Maca fuscata fuscata. Dental impressions were taken on 128 animals of varying ages. The analysis of the dental casts revealed sexual dimorphism in sequence and timing of eruption.     

Radiation and phylogeography in the Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) presumably differentiated from eastern rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) populations during the Pleistocene and the two species are closely related. In order to analyse speciation and subspeciation events in the Japanese macaque and to describe historical and current relationships among their populations, we sequenced and analysed a fragment of 392bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region in 50 individuals belonging to six populations of Japanese macaque and compared these sequences with 89 eastern rhesus macaque control region sequences from GenBank/EMBL database. There were high genetic similarities between both species and only two positions were fixed within each species, which supports the inclusion of the Japanese macaque in a single species with eastern populations of rhesus macaques. Japanese macaque ancestors colonised Japan after the separation of the two species, estimated at between 0.31 and 0.88 million years ago (Mya). The star-like phylogeny, multimodal mismatch distribution, and lack of correlation between geographic and genetic distances are in accordance with a rapid dispersion of macaques throughout the archipelago after the arrival into Japan. The species shows low genetic variation within populations and high levels of genetic differentiation among populations with no mtDNA haplotype shared across populations. Genetic distances between Yakushima macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) and any other population of Macaca fuscata fuscata subspecies are comparable to the distances between populations of Honshu, Awajishima, and Kyushu, not supporting the classification of Yakushima macaques as a different subspecies.     

Serum copper levels and not zinc are positively associated with serum leptin concentrations in the healthy adult population

Leptin, the obesity gene protein product, is a hormone with multiple physiological functions in the human. However, there are few reports in the literature on its role in trace element metabolism in the normal population. Therefore, we investigated the association among serum leptin, zinc, copper, and zinc/copper ratio in 570 healthy men and women aged 15 yr and older. Serum leptin assay was done with a commercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assay kit; serum zinc and copper levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum leptin was found to be positively associated with age (r=0.254, p<0.001), sex (r=0.406, p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.553, p<0.001), and serum copper (r=0.419, p<0.001), but negatively associated with the zinc/copper ratio (r=−0.423, p<0.001). There was no significant association between serum leptin and zinc (r=−0.131, p>0.05). When the confounding effects of age, sex, and BMI were removed, serum leptin was still positively associated with serum copper (r=0.197, p=0.02) and the serum zinc/copper ratio (r=−0.182, p=0.03). These results suggest that copper and not zinc has an effect on serum leptin levels.     

Serum copper,zinc levels,and copper

Serum copper and zinc levels were determined in 20 healthy women and in 100 women with gynecological tumors. Malignant and benign tumor cases were separated according to their postoperative, histopathological examinations. The stages of malignant and benign tumors were also established histologically. Seventy benign and 30 malignant genital tumors (carcinoma of cervix in situ, cervix, ovary endometrium, and vulva) of the patients were differentiated histopathologically. The serum Cu/Zn ratios of patients were increased significantly from the control group (0.32±0.35) to the benign group (1.22±0.63) and from the benign group to the malignant group (2.24±1.03). Nine of 30 malignant cases were determined as false negative (30%) and 15 of 70 benign cases were determined as false positive (14.2%) according to the serum Cu/Zn ratios of patients. Serum copper levels of 30 malignant and 10 benign tumor cases showed linear correlation with serum ceruloplasmin values.     

Zinc,copper, and sexual maturation in 9-18-year-old girls and boys

The relationships between serum levels of zinc and copper and sexual maturation were analyzed in 2291 9-18-yr-old Finnish girls and boys. Development of public hair, breasts, and genitalia were used to grade maturation according to Tanner's classification. Serum zinc and sexual maturation were not related. However, 15- and 18-yr-old girls who had matured most slowly had low serum levels of zinc compared with their age mates. Thus, sexual maturation seems not to be affected by zinc deficiency in Finland; effects of zinc status on maturation in some minor groups cannot, however, be excluded. Serum copper levels were associated with age and sexual maturation, which complicates the drawing of conclusions about possible deficiencies.     

用鱼血清转氨酶监测水污染的研究

以三硝基甲苯(INT)、六六六、滴滴涕(DDT)、对硫磷(E-605)、氯化汞分别进行白鲢鱼种的急性致毒实验,与对照组相比,鱼血清谷草转氨酶活性显著增加;对硫磷还引起血清谷丙转氨酶活性的升高。血清转氨酶活性增加的程度与氯化汞浓度相关。不同种类的我国淡水鲤科鱼类、不同鱼龄、不同水体以及短期饥饿、惊扰及网箱饲养对血清转氨酶活性没有影响,但水温升高或溶氧低于1ppm会使鱼血清谷草转氨酶活性升高。水温与鱼血清谷草转氨酶活性有相关性。       

Serum and hair levels of zinc, selenium, iron, and copper in children with iron-deficiency anemia

In the present study, the serum and hair levels of zinc, selenium, and copper were determined in children with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). A total of 52 anemic children aged 1–4 yr constituted the study group. Fortysix healthy children acted as controls. The copper and zinc levels were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophometer. Serum and hair selenium was determined by a spectroflourometric method. The serum zinc and selenium concentrations in the IDA group were found to be significantly lower and serum copper significantly higher than those in the controls (p<0.05). Lower iron, zinc, and selenium concentrations (p<0.001) but not copper were found in hair (p>0.05).     

Zinc, copper, and iron metabolism during porcine fetal development

Zinc, copper, and iron levels in maternal and fetal pig tissues and fluids were measured starting on d 30 of gestation and continuing to term (d 114) at 10-d intervals. Fetal hematocrit increased from a low of 19% on d 30 to 32% by d 50, after which it remained above 30% to term. Amniotic fluid zinc, copper, and iron all reached maximal levels by d 60 of gestation. Maternal serum zinc levels fluctuated little during gestation, but fetal serum zinc concentration was significantly elevated above maternal levels during the second trimester. Fetal serum copper levels were significantly lower than maternal values throughout gestation and this was also the case for ceruloplasmin oxidase activity. Maternal serum iron reached its lowest level by d 80 of gestation when rate of transfer of iron to the developing fetuses was high. Fetal serum iron declined throughout gestation, reaching its lowest level on d 100. In general, fetal liver concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron were higher than the corresponding maternal values throughout gestation. Distinct increases were noted for fetal hepatic zinc and copper concentrations during the second trimester of pregnancy and these were accompanied by increases in cytosolic and metallothionein-bound zinc and copper levels. Maternal hepatic iron declined during the second trimester, reaching its lowest point on d 80, indicative of the shunting of maternal iron reserves to fetal tissues. Fetal kidney metal levels did not demonstrate any distinctive developmental patterns with respect to zinc, copper, or iron concentrations, but a general accumulation of each metal was observed as gestation progressed. The results of this study highlight some of the distinct changes occurring in the metabolism of zinc, copper, and iron in both maternal and fetal tissues and fluids during gestation in the pig. Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other suitable products.     

Influence of L-lysine and zinc administration during exposure to lead or lead and ethanol in rats

Influence of lysine and zinc administration on the lead-sensitive biochemical parameters and the accumulation of lead during exposure to lead or lead and ethanol was investigated in rats. The lead exposure inhibited blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, increased blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood and tissue lead levels, and decreased blood and hepatic glutahione (GSH) contents. Some of these effects were enhanced on coexposure to ethanol. The simultaneous administration of lysine and zinc reduced tissue accumulation of lead and most of the lead-induced biochemical alterations irrespective of exposure to lead alone or lead and ethanol. The depletion of endogenous calcium and magnesium owing to lead or ethanol exposure was also prevented by co-administration of lysine and zinc.     

Morphological studies ofMacaca fuscata

Dermatoglyphics of the foot of two groups of Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata fuscata of Takasakiyama, Oita Prefecture andMacaca fuscata yakui of Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture) were examined. All the fingerprints of the foot consist of a whorl type. Concerning plantar patterns and ridge directions in the sole, there are some differences between both groups. Common to both groups, we find that three kinds of interdigital pattern (II, III, and IV) and proximal thenar pattern (Th^p) are usually of the non-whirling type. This comparatively low frequency of occurrence of a whirling type may be regarded as a characteristic of this species (Macaca fuscata).     

Serum copper concentration in adults with acute, uncomplicated Falciparum malaria infection

Serum copper concentration was measured in 80 adult patients (40 males and females each; age range: 18–40 yr) presenting with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria infection and a control group of 20 age-matched, healthy individuals. The mean serum copper concentration was 109.0±40.0 μg/dL in healthy individuals. Both male and female patients were found to have a significantly decreased serum copper concentration (p<0.05). In the male patients, the mean serum copper concentration decreased by 33.95%, whereas it dropped by 38.53% in their female counteraparts. A compromised enzymatic antioxidant defense capability, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, has been reported in patients with falciparum malaria infection. Because SOD activity is dependent on copper, the ineffective SOD activity can be related to the decrease in the concentration of copper during the infection. Low serum copper can also contribute to the ineffective immune response of the host to the antigenic challenge of the falciparum parasite because copper is also important for normal immune function.     

The role of copper in drug-resistant murine and human tumors

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is still a major threat to successful clinical application of cancer chemotherapy. Copper plays an important role in biological systems, and copper is also involved in carcinogenesis. In the present investigation, we addressed the question whether metal copper might be involved in drug resistance of murine and human tumors. By means of atomic absorption spectroscopy, we determined serum copper concentrations. We found that the blood serum of tumor-bearing mice contained higher amounts of copper than healthy mice with tumors. Secondly, mice bearing doxorubicin-resistant Ehrlich ascites carcinoma- or cyclophosphamide-resistant Lewis lung carcinoma contained more copper in their serum than mice bearing the corresponding drug-sensitive parental tumors. Furthermore, the analysis of patients with breast cancer, colon carcinoma or lung cancer showed that the serum copper contents were higher in patients not responding to chemotherapy when compared to patients whose tumors responded to treatment. The copper levels in serum of healthy volunteers were lower than in cancer patients irrespective of their response to chemotherapy. Our results imply that the level of serum copper may be considered as a biomarker for treatment response.     

Hair zinc and copper: Relationship to hair type and serum concentrations in children and adolescents

The zinc and copper serum and hair concentrations of 691 3-18-y-old girls and boys previously determined as a part of the Multicentre Study of Atherosclerosis Precursors in Finnish Children and Adolescents were further analyzed in order to find a possible association between these two zinc and copper indices. The influence of hair color and the diameter of individual hair strands on hair concentrations were studied by the analysis of covariance. Hair color and serum zinc concentrations were found to be associated with hair zinc concentrations in boys. Such an association was not found for zinc and copper concentrations in girls. Hair vs serum concentrations in different age and hair color groups did not show however, a significant relationship either in copper or in zinc concentrations. The subjects with very low or high serum zinc or copper concentrations did not usually have extreme hair concentrations and vice versa. However, there were some subjects with low or high serum concentrations associated with low or high hair concentrations.     

Morphological and biochemical studies on liver, kidney and gill of fishes affected by pesticides

Effect of a herbicide, paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridilium-dichloride), the fungicide copper sulphate, and zinc chloride was studied on the histological structure of liver, kidney and gill of three fish species with different feeding habits, viz.: a herbivorous, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix); an omnivorous, common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and a carnivorous, sheatfish (Silurus glanis L.). The organs were studied electron microscopically after fixation according to Karnovsky. The toxic effect manifested itself characteristically on the respective species, regardless of the type of the chemical applied and the species specificity. Upon the effect of the treatments applied the cytoplasm of the respiratory cells of the gill became electron transparent and the cytoplasmic organelles disappeared almost totally. In the chloride cells showing focal necrosis, residuals of nuclear, mitochondrial and endoplasmic origin were seen. Pillar cells and the pericytes remained intact. In the nucleus of the liver cells, electron dense heterochromatin was not present. The degree of the damage in the liver cells was indicated by swollen mitochondria with electron transparent matrix and by dilatation and vacuolation of the endoplasmic reticulum system. Epithelial cells decreased in electron density, the endoplasmic reticulum was vesiculated, mitochondria were swollen. Leucocytes increased in number, and empty vacuoles and vacuoles filled with dense granules appeared in them during toxicosis. Copper sulphate or paraquat increased serum transaminase enzyme activities (glutamic acid-oxalacetic acid transaminase, glutamic acid-pyruvic acid transaminase) in all the three fish species. These damages can cause serious disturbances in energy uptake and secretion processes of fish.     

The relationship between zinc and copper status and lipid levels in African-Americans

Studies examining the role of zinc and copper nutriture as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in European Americans have produced conflicting results. This study assessed the associations between zinc and copper status and serum lipid levels in an adult African-American community. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 individuals (233 males, 367 females) from 25 to 65 yr of age using a random sampling design in a small city in Alabama. Anthropometric, dietary, and serum zinc, copper, and lipid measurements were made. The mean serum zinc and copper levels and dietary zinc intake were similar to that reported previously for European Americans. There were no significant associations between serum zinc, copper, or zinc/copper ratio and total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or triglyceride levels. For males, there was a small but significant association between dietary zinc and the total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (r=−0.17, p=0.03). Similarly, females taking either zinc supplements or a multivitamin including zinc had higher HDL-C values than nonsupplementing females. Further prospective studies of the relationship between zinc status and lipid levels in African Americans are needed to verify these results.     

Changes in serum copper level during detoxification of acutely poisoned drug addicts

Although it is known that drug addicts are a high-risk group for disruption of many homeostatic processes, little is know about changes in serum trace elements concentrations after taking the psychoactive substances. The aim of the study was to check the influence of the taking homemade heroin on serum level of copper. Blood samples were taken from 30 opiate addicts, and copper concentrations were measured by the means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The result of the study show that in the examined group, copper serum concentrations (1.35 mg/L) upon admission to the clinic were higher than in the control group (1.11 mg/L) but decreased during hospitalization (1.18 mg/L). There was no correlation between duration of stay at the hospital and changes in serum copper concentration.     

Experimental cross infections of Fasciola hepatica in lambs and calves.

The effects of experimental infections with Fasciola hepatica of ovine and bovine origin in homologous and heterologous hosts and in uninfected controls were compared; groups comprised 5 animals each. The effects of the infections were monitored by biweekly determinations of packed cell volumes (PCV), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), serum iron, bilirubin levels, alkaline phosphatase (AlP) and total serum protein levels. Infected animals showed changes in SGOT, SGPT and GGT activity levels, and GGT activity levels, and infected lambs showed changes in PCV and AlP. However, no no significant differences in these serum levels between infected host groups were attributable to fluke strain. At necropsy, calves infected with ovine and bovine strains on an average had about the same number of flukes, but lambs infected with a high dose of the bovine strain on the average had nearly twice the number of flukes as those infected with ovine strain. Weight gains did not differ within host groups; liver damage was extensive in all infected animals. On the basis of these experiments, the pathogenicity of the ovine and the bovine strains of F. hepatica appears to be the same.     

Genome scan linkage analysis identifies quantitative trait loci affecting serum clinical–chemical traits in Korean native chicken

Alterations in robustness- and health-related traits lead to physiological changes, such as changes in the serum clinical chemical parameters in individuals. Therefore, clinical–chemical traits can be used as biomarkers to examine the health status of chickens. The aim of the present study was to detect the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing eight clinical–chemical traits (glucose, total protein, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and α-amylase) in an F₁ nuclear families comprising 83 F₀ founders and 585 F₁ progeny of Korean native chickens. Genotypic data on 135 DNA markers representing 26 autosomes have been generated for this resource pedigree. The total length of the map was 2729.4 cM. We used a multipoint variance component linkage approach to identify QTLs for the traits. A significant QTL affecting serum α-amylase levels was identified on chicken chromosome (GGA) 7 [logarithm of odds (LOD) = 3.02, P value = 1.92 × 10^?4]. Additionally, we detected several suggestive linkage signals for the levels of total cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and creatinine on GGA 4, 12, 13, and 15. In this study, serum α-amylase levels related significant QTL was mapped on GGA7 and cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and creatinine traits related suggestive QTLs were detected on GGA4, 12, 13 and 15, respectively. Further verification and fine mapping of these identified QTLs can provide valuable information for understanding the variations of clinical chemical trait in chickens.