Hair copper concentration in healthy children,teenagers, and adults living in Szczecin,Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the hair copper concentration in a population of healthy children, teenagers, and adults living in a specific region of Poland. For this purpose, 840 healthy individuals aged 1–50 yr living in Szczecin, Poland were selected for the study. They were divided into subgroups according to age and sex and the hair was analyzed for copper using a standard atomic absorption spectrometric technique. The level of copper was highest for the group including 11–15 yr old. In the other subgroups, the concentration of copper was lower than the values considered normal, suggesting the possibility of endemic copper deficiency in the inhabitants of this region.     

Zinc and copper in Indian patients of tuberculosis

The effectiveness and success of antitubercular therapy is mainly measured by identifying the organism in sputum. In certain patients, especially in geriatric patients, available tuberculosis tests are not satisfactory and do not provide enough information on the effectiveness of antitubercular therapy, as the symptoms might be confused with the existing symptoms of ongoing diseases. Therefore, 60 diagnosed and randomly selected patients with tuberculosis were included into this study. The patients with other associated diseases likely to influence serum copper and zinc were not included in the study. The estimations of serum copper and zinc were done in healthy volunteers and in tubercular patients before the start of treatment and after 4 wk of antitubercular treatment. The average plasma concentration of serum copper and zinc in healthy volunteers were 102±20 μg/dL and 96±18 μg/dL respectively. In tuberculosis patients, serum copper and zinc levels were 123.65±9.98 μg/dL and 64.14±3.97 μg/dL, respectively, before the start of treatment, which came down to 116.23±4.27 μg/dL and 74.31±3.60 μg/dL, respectively, after 4 wk of antitubercular treatment.     

Concentations of copper, Zinc, and magnesium in sera from patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Trace elements are known to have a key role in myocardial metabolism. The accumulation (cobalt, arsenic, copper) or deficiency (selenium, zinc) of trace elements may be responsible for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. We investigated the trace element concentrations (Cu, Zn, Mg) in sera from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We observed that patients with dilated cardiomyopathies have higher copper and lower zinc concentrations in serum than healthy controls. The magnesium concentrations of patients did not differ significantly from that of control subjects.     

High fructose intake significantly reduces kidney copper concentrations in diabetic, islet transplanted rats

Trace element status is known to be altered in the diabetic state, although the factors affecting trace element homeostasis in this condition are not well understood. The authors examined the effects of a high fructose diet (40% wt:wt) vs a control diet on the copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) concentrations in the kidney, plasma, and red blood cells of islet transplanted (TX) and shamoperated (SHAM) rats. Male, Wistar Furth rats made diabetic by streptozotocin injection (55 mg/kg, iv) were given an intraportal islet transplant (1000 islets); control animals were shaminjected, shamoperated (SHAM). Rats within TX and SHAM groups were assigned to either a high fructose diet (40% fructose, 25% cornstarch, FR) or a purified control diet (33% cornstarch, 33% dextrose, CNTL) containing identical amounts of mineral mixture for a period of 6 wk. Kidney Cu concentration was significantly elevated among hyperglycemie TXCNTL rats (224 ± 25 nmol/g wet wt), but was markedly reduced in hyperglycemic TXFR rats (109 ± 14 nmol/g) relative to normoglycemic controls. This occurred in spite of similar levels of glucose, insulin (fed and fasted), insulin secretory capacity, body weight, and food intake in the TXCNTL and TXFR groups. Among the subgroup of rats with normal glucose levels post-TX, kidney Cu levels normalized and were unaffected by dietary treatment (normoglycemic TXCNTL = 60 ± 5 nmol/g; normoglycemic TXFR = 40 ± 2 nmol/g). Kidney Cu concentrations also were unaffected by fructose feeding in SHAM animals (CNTL, 60 ± 4 nmol/g and FR, 51 ± 5 nmol/g). Kidney Zn and Fe concentrations were similar among the treatment groups. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were also similar among the groups. Since fructose feeding led to a substantial reduction of kidney Cu concentrations in the presence of hyperglycemia, the authors suggest that this model can be useful in examining effects of altered kidney Cu accumulation in the diabetic animal.     

The changes of metabolism balance of zinc and copper in gastric juice with widely varying dietary zinc intake

The concentrations of zinc and copper in gastric juice of humans who had widely varying dietary zinc intake were evaluated. In order to compare this with zinc and copper levels of normal dietary individuals, we also determined the zinc and copper levels in healthy individuals' plasma and in cancer patient's natural tissue, all of whom had normal diets. The correlation coefficients between zinc and copper were 0.71, 0.45, and 0.55, respectively, in gastric juice, plasma, and tissue of normal dietary subjects. Such correlation changed and was destroyed when there was a high zinc level in gastric juice. When gastric juice zinc level changed from mean value 16.8 μmol/L to 262.5 μmol/L, the correlation coefficient varied from 0.71 to −0.04, and the copper level also varied from mean value 8.96 μmol/L to 4.89 μmol/L. These findings probably give the evidence to suggest that a high zinc level will restrain the copper level and break the balance of the human body's zinc and copper metabolism.     

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.     

Effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters

Copper plays an important role in the structure and function of metalloproteins and in the absorption of iron. The present study deals with the effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters. Drinking water containing 250 μg/mL copper for a period of 9 wk, Wistar albino rats showed increased erythrocyte count, blood viscosity, and hematocrit values (p<0.05) and lower hemoglobin (p<0.05) than controls fed a normal diet. The two groups also had differences in the erythrocyte deformability index. The results suggest that excessive copper intake results in hematological and hemorheological changes affecting both the protein content of the erythrocyte membrane and heme synthesis.     

Serum magnesium, copper, and zinc alterations following spinal fusion

Changes in serum magnesium, copper and zinc values were evaluated in spinal fusion patients at four monitorings. For magnesium and copper individually, a significant difference was found between the mean values at each monitoring (p<0.05), whereas the changes of zinc values between four monitorings were insignificant. There was no statistical difference between the changes of each trace element values and gender, age, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, blood replacement, number of the vertebral levels fused, and antibiotic type used. As a result, magnesium can be suggested to be more important than the other two elements in the postoperative period. Alterations of serum magnesium, copper, and zinc values do not have any correlation with the fusion of the spinal column, either with the width of the fused area or operative time and blood loss. This study cannot confirm the exact reason for this entity and the etiology remains speculative. There is no need for magnesium, copper, or zinc supplementation during the surgical period for the patients. It will be worthy to evaluate the patients who were sent to the intensive care unit after spinal surgery and compare their results with the other intensive care patients.     

Leukocyte selenium, zinc, and copper concentrations in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women

Preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. The etiology of this relatively common medical complication of pregnancy, however, remains unknown. We studied the relationship between maternal leukocyte selenium, zinc, and copper concentrations and the risk of preeclampsia in a large hospital-based case-control study. One hundred seventy-one women with proteinuric pregnancy-induced hypertension (with or without seizures) comprised the case group. Controls were 184 normotensive pregnant women. Leukocytes were separated from blood samples collected during the patients’ postpartum labor and delivery admission. Leukocyte concentrations for the three cations were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations for each cation were reported as micrograms per gram of total protein. Women with preeclampsia had significantly higher median leukocyte selenium concentrations than normotensive controls (3.23 vs 2.80 μg/g total protein, p<0.0001). Median leukocyte zinc concentrations were 31% higher in preeclamptics as compared with controls (179.15 vs 136.44 μg/g total protein, p<0.0001). Although median leukocyte copper concentrations were slightly higher for cases than controls, this difference did not reach statistical significance (17.72 vs 17.00 μg/g total protein, p=0.468). There was evidence of a linear increase in risk of preeclampsia with increasing concentrations of selenium and zinc. The relative risk for preeclampsia was 3.38 (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.53–7.54) among women in the highest quartile of the control selenium distribution compared with women in the lowest quartile. The corresponding relative risk and 95% CI for preeclampsia was 5.30 (2.45–11.44) for women in the highest quartile of the control zinc distribution compared with women in the lowest quartile. There was no clear pattern of a linear trend in risk with increasing concentration of leukocyte copper concentrations (adjusted for linear trend in risk =0.299). Our results are consistent with some previous reports. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether observed alterations in selenium and zinc concentrations precede preeclampsia or whether the differences may be attributed to preeclampsia-related alterations in maternal and fetal-placental trace metal metabolism.     

Changes in serum selenium, copper, zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during therapy

The effectiveness and success of antituberculosis therapy is mainly measured by its ability to identify the organism in the sputum. In certain cases, available tuberculosis tests are not satisfactory and do not provide enough information on the effectiveness of antituberculosis therapy. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) are the essential elements that play a crucial role in the immune system. The serum levels of these elements vary in many diseases including tuberculosis. In this study, we investigate whether the serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Se change during antituberculosis therapy. We have included 22 pulmonary tuberculosis cases that were newly diagnosed with positive sputum and 18 healthy subjects. At the beginning and 2 mo after therapy, serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Se were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Despite Se and Cu levels not being affected during the treatment, we found that there was a significant increase in the levels of Zn and a decrease in the Cu/Zn ratio. Serum Zn levels and the Cu/Zn ratio could be used as a valuable laboratory tool for the clinicians to assess response to therapy or effectiveness of the ongoing antituberculosis therapy.     

Zinc,copper, and magnesium concentrations in hair of children from Southeastern Turkey

Zinc, copper, and magnesium concentrations in hair were measured in groups of children varying in one condition—protein-energy malnutrition, ricketts, thalassemia, malignancy, cardiac failure, or after prolonged infection and in healthy controls. As compared with controls, copper and magnesium concentrations were low in all groups, whereas higher values were obtained for hair zinc. These results showed that a generalized copper and magnesium deficiency were observed in the southeastern part of Turkey. However, zinc deficiency couldn’t be detected as far as the hair zinc values were concerned, although all of the subjects fell within the 50 percentile limits for their age-appropriate weights and heights.     

Interactions among nickel,copper, and iron in rats

In two fully crossed, three-way, two by three by three, factorially arranged experiments, female weanling rats were fed a basal diet supplemented with iron at 15 and 45 μg/g, nickel at 0, 5, and 50 μg/g and copper at 0, 0.5, and 5 μg/g (Expt. 1) or 0, 0.25, and 12 μg/g (Expt. 2). Expt. 1 was terminated at 11 weeks, and Expt. 2 at 8 weeks because, at those times, some rats fed no supplemental copper and the high level of nickel began to lose weight, or die from heart rupture. The experiments showed that nickel interacted with copper and this interaction was influenced by dietary iron. If copper deficiency was neither very severe or mild, copper deficiency signs of elevated levels of total lipids and lipid phosphorus in liver and plasma, and cholesterol in plasma, were made more severe by supplemental dietary nickel. Rats in which nickel supplementation exacerbated copper deficiency did not exhibit a depressed level of copper in liver and plasma. Also, although iron deprivation enhanced the interaction between nickel and copper, iron deprivation did not significantly depress the level of copper in liver and plasma. The findings confirmed that, in rats, a complex relationship exists between nickel, copper, and iron, thus indicating that both the iron and copper status of experimental animals must be controlled before data about nickel nutriture and metabolism can be compared among studies.     

Serum zinc and somatic growth in children with growth retardation

A possible role for zinc deficiency in some cases of growth retardation in southern France was investigated. Control values for zinc for 160 children (age=12.5±2.4 yr) are 0.85±0.22 mg/L (mean ±2 SD). Twenty-five children with low serum zinc values (<0.63 mg/L) and 25 matched short children with normal serum zinc values (>0.63 mg/L) were studied. Children in the two groups did not differ significantly in age, pubertal development, stature, and weight. For the 25 children whose serum values were low, we found significantly lower values for bone age delay, growth velocity in mm/month, as well as the ratio between calculated growth velocity and theoretical growth velocity for the bone age (so that zincemia was correlated to these parameters in the whole sample of 50 subjects). Nevertheless, no significant difference could be found between the two groups for serum somatomedin C, serum osteocalcin values, and GH responses to the GH stimulatory tests (exercise test, overnight sampling, insulin-induced hypoglycemia, arginine test). Therefore, low serum zinc is associated with a retardation in both somatic growth and pubertal maturation.     

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.     

Novel method to determine element concentrations in foliage of poplar and willow cuttings

Measuring the uptake of the chemical elements by plants usually requires the destructive harvest of the plants. Analyzing individual leaves is unsatisfactory because their elemental concentration depends on their age and position on the branch or stem. We aimed to find an easy method to determine the elemental concentrations using a few suitable single leaves along the main shoot of poplar (Populus monviso) and willow (Salix viminalis) cuttings at the end of the first season. Using Ca, Cd, Mn, Fe, K, P, Pb, and Zn concentrations, measured in selected leaves along the main shoots of the cuttings, mathematical functions were derived, which described best their distribution. Elemental allocation patterns were independent of the soil characteristics and soil element concentrations. Based on these functions, three leaves from specific positions along the main shoot were selected, which could accurately describe the derived functions. The deviation of the calculated average concentration, based on the 3-leaves method, was ≤15% in approximately 65% of the cases compared to the measured concentration. This method could be used to calculate element concentrations and fluxes in phytomanagement, biomonitoring, or biomass productions projects using one-season poplar or willow cuttings.     

Zinc and copper in human cerebrospinal fluid

Zinc and copper have been estimated in CSF of 14 normal volunteers, nine men and five women. Zinc was analyzed by limited-aspiration flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a deuterium continuum light source. Copper was analyzed in 0.1% HNO₃ by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a graphite cuvette on a flameless atomizer. Recovery of added zinc varied less than 5% and that of the added copper varied less than 8%. CSF zinc was 31.5±19.8 μg/L (mean ± 1 SD); CSF copper, 7.5±3.1 μ/L. Values obtained for CSF zinc are about 1/2 those we and others obtained previously, the decrease related almost exclusively to removal of interference by the CSF matrix, which produced spuriously elevated values without use of the deuterium light source. Values obtained for CSF copper were approximately one-tenth those we and others had obtained previously. The decrease related, in part, to the removal of matrix effects, but also to improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio present in other techniques.     

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.     

Blood levels of copper, iron, zinc, and lead in adults in India and Pakistan and the effect of oral zinc supplementation for six weeks

Deficiency in the intake of trace elements, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), is very common in the general population of most developing countries. A preliminary study in India and Pakistan showing the plasma levels of Zn and Fe indicates that approx 50% of the subjects who participated have low levels of both Fe and Zn, suggesting a marginal deficiency. The low plasma levels of these elements are more pronounced in females. The mean levels of Ze, Cu, and Fe in the plasma of 83 subjects were 0.71 ± 0.11, 0.96 ± 0.10, and 0.80 ± 0.12 mg/L, respectively. The Cu:Zn ratio in the plasma was 1.43 ± 0.16. Three groups of 15 subjects each were given three different levels of oral supplements of Zn (15, 30, and 45 mg of Zn as Zn gluconate) for 6 wk, and blood samples were analyzed during various intervals. Plasma concentration of Zn increased significantly (p < 0.001) in all the groups after 4 wk of supplementation and reached almost normal levels after 6 wk. Along with the increase in Zn, there was a significant decrease(p < 0.001) in plasma Cu levels. There were no changes in the concentration of Fe during the supplementation period. The supplementation was well tolerated by most subjects. The results of this pilot study indicate that Zn supplementation is a practical possibility comparable to that of Fe supplementation in order to prevent marginal Zn deficiency in vulnerable groups in the general population of developing countries.     

High arsenic intake raises kidney copper and lowers plasma copper concentrations in rats

The effect of high arsenic intake on copper metabolism was investigated. Male rats aged 6 wk had free access to purified diets containing either 0 or 100 mg As/kg diet and demineralized water for a period of 2 wk. Arsenic was added to the diet in the form of NaAsO₂. The high-arsenic diet decreased feed and water intake and body weight gain, but significantly increased liver weight. Kidney weight was not affected. Arsenic feeding drastically elevated kidney copper concentration, but significantly reduced copper concentration in plasma. Both true absorption and biliary excretion of copper were decreased significantly in rats fed the high-arsenic diet. True copper absorption was lowered essentially through the lower copper intake in the rats fed arsenic. It is speculated that arsenic feeding primarily leads to copper accumulation in the kidney, followed by a decrease in feed intake and thus in true, absolute copper absorption, a decrease in plasma copper concentration, and a decrease in biliary copper excretion.