ABSTRACT
Plasma copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) levels were measured in three groups of women; (1) pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)(n=43); (2) pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n=11) and (3) non-pregnant women (n=11). Plasma Cu, Zn and Mg levels were measured by atomic absorbtion spectrophotometer. We determined that plasma Zn and Mg levels were lower in patients with HG and significant differences were noted between the control groups and HG patients (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). We still need further large cohort studies in order to understand if this is the cause or consequence of hyperemesis gravidarum.
ABSTRACT
Down syndrome is the most common cause of mental retardation, affecting 1 in 700-800 liveborn infants. Although numerous biochemical abnormalities accompanying the syndrome have not yet been completely clarified, the antioxidant defense system enzymes have shown to be altered due to increased gene dosage on chromosome 21 and overproduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1 or Cu/Zn SOD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the activities of SOD-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzymes and the levels of their cofactors zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) in plasma of 20 Down syndrome patients. In comparison with age and sex-matched controls (n = 15), plasma GSH-Px, SOD, and Cu levels were significantly decreased in the patient group, but Zn and Se concentrations remained unchanged.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Down Syndrome/blood , Down Syndrome/enzymology , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Superoxide Dismutase/blood , Trace Elements/blood , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Copper/blood , Female , Humans , Male , Selenium/blood , Zinc/bloodABSTRACT
In the present study, selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) levels in serum and pleural fluid from patients with malignant and nonmalignant pleural diseases were measured and compared with serum concentrations in healthy subjects. Serum/pleural fluid ratios were also calculated for each element. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of trace metals, especially Se, in neoplastic and nonneoplastic pleural diseases. Serum Cu and Mg levels were significantly higher in both malignant and nonmalignant groups of patients when compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). However, serum levels of these elements did not show a significant difference between malignant and nonmalignant cases (p > 0.05). The serum/pleural fluid ratio of Zn was significantly lower in patients with malignant effusions than in benign conditions (p = 0.05). Serum and pleural fluid Se, Cu, Zn and Mg levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Thus, Se, Cu, Zn, and Mg seem to have no diagnostic value for distinguishing malignant from nonmalignant effusions.
