Co-administration of trientine and flaxseed oil on oxidative stress, serum lipids and heart structure in diabetic rats.

The administration of flaxseed oil or flaxseed oil plus trientine in diabetic rats reduced triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. Furthermore, the combined treatment significantly increased superoxide dismutase activity and attenuated serum Cu2+. The results suggest that the administration of flaxseed oil plus trientine is useful in controlling serum lipid abnormalities, oxidative stress, restoring heart structure, and reducing serum Cu2+ in diabetic rats.

Wilson Disease: an Update / 대한간학회지

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport that results in accumulation of copper primarily in the liver, the brain and the cornea. WD is the most common inherited liver disease with the prevalence of 1: 37,000 in the pediatric population in Korea. Mutations in the ATP7B gene cause failure of copper excretion into the bile and a defective incorporation of copper into ceruloplasmin. More than 300 mutations in the ATP7B gene have been described so far. Mutations differ between ethnic groups. The p.R778L (an allele frequency of 37%), p.A874V (13%), p.L1083F (8%) and p.N1270S (6%) are the common major mutations in Korea. Conflicting results on genotype/phenotype correlations of the most common mutations have been reported in various countries. There seems to be no correlation between the R778L mutation and age of onset or clinical manifestations in Korean patients. None of the laboratory parameters alone allows a definite diagnosis of WD. In a nation-wide survey of WD, low serum ceruloplasmin (100 microgram), high hepatic copper content (>250 microgram/g of dry liver) and Kayser-Fleischer rings were found in 96%, 86%, 88%, and 73% of the 550 Korean patients respectively. A combination of any two of the above 4 laboratory findings is strong support for a diagnosis of WD. For the last couple of years, genetic testing has been playing an increasingly important role in diagnosing WD. Direct DNA sequencing did confirm WD in 98% of the Korean patients. Two mutations were detected in 70% and one mutation in 28% of the patients who showed characteristic biochemical and clinical findings of WD. Genetic testing, either by haplotype analysis or by mutation analysis, is the only reliable tool for differentiating heterozygote carriers from affected asymptomatic patients. The agents of the first choice among chelators and zinc in specific clinical situations of WD is still a matter of debate. Because of frequent side effects and initial neurologic deterioration of penicillamine therapy, less toxic trientine or zinc has gradually replaced penicillamine over the past few years. Trientine or tetrathiomolybdate has been increasingly recommended as the first-line treatment for neurologic WD. Currently, liver transplantation is not recommended as primary treatment for neurologic WD. Recently published data show that initial zinc therapy for asymptomatic/presymptomatic patients and maintenance zinc therapy in patients after long term chelation are safe and effective. Further researches and the new guidelines on the proper management of patients with WD are needed.

Wilson's disease.

Wilson's disease (WD), an inborn error of copper (Cu) metabolism, is now one of the leading liver diseases in children in India. The clinical presentation can be extremely varied viz.,--all forms of acute and chronic liver disease, minimal to severe neurological disease, psychiatric problems, bony deformities, hemolytic anemia and endocrine manifestations. A high index of suspicion is necessary along with a judicious battery of investigations for diagnosis. Hepatic copper estimation is the most reliable test but is not easily available in India. Liver biopsy may not be possible because of bleeding problems and histological features are often not diagnostic of WD. In the absence of hepatic Cu, a low ceruloplasmin, high 24 hour urinary copper and presence of KF rings aid in making the diagnosis. The mainstay of initial therapy is Cu-chelators like D-Penicillamine, and Trientine for reduction in body copper to sub-toxic levels. Subsequent maintenance therapy is necessarily lifelong with D-Penicillamine, Trientine or Zinc. Children on therapy must be monitored regularly for response, side-effects, compliance and rehabilitation. Response to therapy may be unpredictable, but acute and early presentations like fulminant hepatic failures have a poor outcome. All siblings must be screened for WD as early diagnosis and treatment result in a good outcome. The identification of the WD gene on chromosome 13 has led to the possible use of molecular genetics (haplotype and mutational analyses) in the diagnosis of WD. Parent groups/associations must take active part in holistic management of WD.