ABSTRACT
Serum trace element concentrations, parameters of iron metabolism and serum protein concentrations were investigated in thirteen adult recipients of bone-marrow transplants receiving total parenteral nutrition. Six of the patients died during the four weeks follow-up. Serum zinc concentrations were initially low but increased during the treatment. They also tended to be lower in dying patients than in survivors. Concentrations of serum copper and selenium remained unaltered. Serum iron started to increase during the preconditioning and remained raised for three weeks. No significant changes occurred in serum transferrin levels. Transferrin saturation increased during the preconditioning and started to return to normal after day +14. Serum ferritin was greatly raised from the start and increased further during the procedure. Routine trace element substitution seemed to be sufficient during total parenteral nutrition with the possible exception of zinc. A return to normal transferrin saturation after day +14 may be an early favourable sign that the graft is taking and hematopoietic recovery commencing.
Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Transplantation/physiology , Copper/blood , Iron/metabolism , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/surgery , Multiple Myeloma/surgery , Parenteral Nutrition , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/surgery , Selenium/blood , Zinc/blood , Adult , Female , Graft Survival/physiology , Humans , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Myeloma/blood , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood , Preoperative Care , Transplantation, IsogeneicABSTRACT
Mononuclear (MNC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMNC) zinc content was determined together with serum zinc, copper, selenium and iron concentrations in 24 operable breast cancer patients during and after postoperative radiotherapy. Anthropometric and biochemical indices of nutritional status were measured as background data. The measurements were carried out in the years 1987-1988. Nine patients used unconventional multivitamin or trace element preparations. A steady but statistically insignificant decrease in PMNC zinc was seen during treatment. No changes occurred in MNC zinc. Serum copper levels increased in five patients possibly due to tamoxifen treatment, but no other alterations occurred in serum trace element levels. Appetite was well maintained and nutritional status remained unaltered. Postoperative radiotherapy for breast carcinoma had thus no effect on either trace element or nutritional status. Patient-initiated alternative treatments did not significantly affect their trace element levels. This was probably due to small supplementation doses or irregular use of the preparations.
