Difference In Zinc Levels Research Articles

Plasma zinc and copper levels in maternal, placental intervillous space and cord blood

Zinc and copper levels in maternal, placental intervillous space (PIS) and cord blood from 82 parturients and infants were studied. Immediately after expulsion, blood samples from the maternal radial vein, PIS and umbilical cord artery and vein were collected for zinc and copper analysis. Maternal zinc values (72.3±18.2 ug/dl) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than PIS and newborn values. PIS zinc concentration (100.7±26.7 ug/dl) was the same as that of newborn blood, i.e. 104.4±20.1 ug/dl in the cord vein and 103.7±24.05 ug/dl in the cord artery. No difference in zinc levels was found between the cord artery and vein. Maternal copper values (194.8±41.0 ug/dl) were equal to PIS and higher than newborn copper levels (p<0.01). PIS copper concentration (180.9±38.9, ug/dl) was higher than that of newborn blood, i.e. 46.6±18.5 ug/dl in the cord vein and 46.4±21.0 ug/dl in the cord artery. No difference in copper levels was found between the cord artery and vein. A correlation was found between maternal and PIS zinc levels and cord artery and vein zinc levels. Maternal and cord vein, maternal and cord artery, PIS and cord vein and PIS and cord artery zinc concentrations showed no significant correlation. The same was found regarding copper levels. The data suggest that zinc and copper transport could be more dependent on the carrier capacity of the fetal plasma transport system than the maternal or PIS zinc levels.

Zinc in depressive disorder

Plasma zinc levels were measured in 14 patients with primary affective disorder on admission to hospital; they were compared with plasma zinc levels in group of 14 age- and sex-matched controls. A significant difference in zinc levels was found between the 2 groups. Plasma zinc levels of 9 of the depressed patients on admission to hospital and at the point of discharge were compared; a significant increase in zinc levels was detected.

Menkes症モデルマウス(Macular mouse)の銅代謝

The copper, zinc and metallothionein contents were measurded in various tissues of mutant (hemizygous and homozygous) macular, heterozygous macular and normal mice. The copper contents in the kidney and small intestine of 7-day-old mutants and heterozygotes were much higher than in normal mice, whereas the copper contents in the other tissues (liver, brain spleen and serum) were low. Renal copper contents of 1-day-old mutants were not different from contents of normal mice, whereas those of 7-, and 14-day-old mutants were significantly elevated. Hepatic and brain copper contents were extremely low at all stages compared to normals. Copper therapy was applide to 7-day-old mutant mice. One day after injection, hepatic copper contents in mutants increased slightly compared to the normal controls, whereas renal copper contents increasded greatly. Seven days after injection, hepatic copper contents in mutants decreased greatly compared to the normal control, whereas the increase in renal copper contents remained. One and 7 days after injectin, brain copper contents in mutants and normal mice increasde slightly compared to untreated mice. The renal MT-Cu contents in 7- and 8-day-old mutants and heterozygotes were significantly greater than that of normal mice. The marked elevation in renal MT-Cu contents was also observed in 8- and 9-week-old mutants and heterozygotes. In contrast to the kidney, hepatic MT-Cu contents in 7- and 8-day-old mutants and heterozygotes were much lower than in normal mice. In contrast to copper, no significant differences in zinc levels in any tissue were evident.

Copper, Zinc and Molybdenum in Livers of Norwegian Cattle At Slaughter

The concentrations of copper, zinc and molybdenum were measured in samples of cattle liver from 10 slaughter-houses in Norway. A total of 335 samples were analysed. A clear accumulation of copper with age was found, the average copper level in the younger animals (≦ 3 years, n = 194) being 30 µg Cu/g liver wet weight, and in the older ones (> 3 years, n = 141) 59 µg Gu/g. The range in the copper values found was considerable, though significant differences between some of the districts were recorded. Copper concentrations were classified as low (≦10 µg Gu/g) in 9.6 % of the samples. Zinc showed no accumulation with age, nor were there any differences in zinc levels found in animals from different districts, the average level being 32 µg Zn/g liver wet weight. The picture was the same for molybdenum, no differences between age groups or districts being found. The average level was 1.0 µg Mo/g liver. There was no significant correlation between levels of copper, zinc or molybdenum. The supply of copper and zinc to cattle in Norway seems close to sufficient, but copper- and zinc-fortified mineral supplementation of cattle feed is still to be recommended. There seems to be no need for molybdenum supplementation in cattle.