Role of serum zinc and copper in health and disease

The study included 637 controls [healthy individuals, males:females, 335:302] and 1403 patients [males:females, 699:704] of various diseases. Serum levels of Zinc and Copper were estimated on atomic absorption spectrophotometer [GBC-902] and were compared to their controls. The present study is done by compiling the data of all these studies to evaluate the role of serum Zinc and Copper in health and disease. It was observed that the mean serum zinc level was significantly decreased in pregnancy, acne vulgaris, bum, oral sub mucous fibrosis and malignancy. The mean serum zinc was increased in epilepsy, vitiligo, urolithiasis, primary hypertension and non malignant prostatic disorders. Mean serum copper was significantly increased in pregnancy, thoracic surgery, ischemic heart disease, primary hypertension, oral sub mucous fibrosis and malignancy and it was decreased in epilepsy, burn and prostatic disorders

study of pentobarbitone-methoxsalen interaction in rats

Experiments carried out to study pentobarbitonemethoxsalen interaction in rats. The study was conducted on adult albino rats [150-250 g, either sex] in two phases. In phase I, methoxsalen was administered [5, 10 and 15 mg/kg i.p. x 5 days] and pentobarbitone was administered [30 mg/kg i.p.] 24 hours after the last dose of methoxsalen. In phase II, methoxsalen was administered [10 mg/kg p.o. x two weeks] and pentobarbitone was administered [in dose of 15, 20 and 30 mg/kg i.p.] 24 hrs after the last dose of methoxsalen, CNS activity such as pinna, sound and righting reflex were observed. In phase I, pentobarbitone caused CNS depression in methoxsalen treated and control groups. In phase II, pentobarbitone in dose of 15, 20 and 30 mg/kg in methoxsalen treated rats also caused CNS depression in dose dependent manner. The action of pentobarbitone was potentiated in methoxsalen treated rats hence barbiturates whenever indicated in patients on methoxsalen, should be used with caution

Role of zinc and copper in vitiligo

The present study was undertaken to elaborate the role of zinc and copper in vitiligo. The study involved measurement of serum zinc and copper levels in vitiligo patients and in normal individuals of comparable age group and sex. The effect of treatment [methoxsalen, levamisole and betamethasone p.o. and clobetasol topical] on serum zinc and copper was observed after 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks of medication in vitiligo patients. Result showed their raised level of serum zinc in patients as compared with the control healthy individuals, which was reduced gradually after treatment mentioned above and came to within normal range after 24 weeks of treatment. Serum copper in vitiligo cases was found within normal limit of healthy individuals and there was no change in serum copper level after medication