RESUMO
Objectives: Zinc (Zn) is a cofactor for more than 200 enzymes within the human body. Zn deficiency can result in cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Furthermore, serum Zn levels have been reported to be associated with nutritional status, but this association has not been clarified in malignant lymphoma. This study aimed to examine the deficiency of serum Zn levels and clarify the factors that are correlated with serum Zn in malignant lymphoma. Methods: Initial malignant lymphoma was diagnosed in patients at Fujita Health University Hospital between April 2011 and March 2019. Based on the serum Zn levels, the study population was divided into "deficient" and "low or normal". For the serum Zn levels of patients undergoing pre-chemotherapy, laboratory parameters and nutritional factors were included. We compared these factors between the abovementioned two groups, and the serum Zn levels with its correlation factors were investigated. Results: A total of 77 patients (Deficient group, n=20 and Low or Normal group, n=57) were enrolled. Histology, hemoglobin, serum albumin levels, Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), prognostic nutrition index (PNI) and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) were significantly different between the two groups. Of these parameters, only serum albumin level was significantly associated with serum Zn level (p=0.0024; estimated regression coefficient, 9.51; adjusted coefficient of determination, 0.28). Conclusions: Poor nutritional status at the initial diagnosis may have affected Zn deficiency in initial malignant lymphoma.
RESUMO
PiT-1/SLC20A1 and PiT-2/SLC20A2 are members of the mammalian type-III inorganic phosphate (Pi) transporters encoded by the SLC20 genes. The broad distribution of SLC20A1 and SLC20A2 mRNAs in mammalian tissues is compatible with housekeeping maintenance of intracellular Pi homeostasis by transporting Pi from intrastitial fluid for normal cellular functions. Recently, mutations of SLC20A2 have been found in patients with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC), also known as Fahr's disease. However, the localization of PiT-1 and PiT-2 in the normal brain has not been clarified yet. The aim of this study was to reveal the distribution of PiT-1 and PiT-2 in the mouse and human brains. As results, gene expressing analysis showed that SLC20A1 and SLC20A2 mRNAs were widely expressed throughout the mouse and human brains, although other Pi transporters encoded by SLC17 and SLC34 mRNAs were hardly detected. The region of cerebellum contained a higher level of SLC20A1 and SLC20A2 mRNAs than the other brain regions. Additionally, the cerebellum in the mouse brain contained higher levels of PiT-1 and PiT-2 than those in the other regions in the brain, respectively. The immunohistochemical studies showed that PiT-1 was recognized in neuron, astrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Similarly to PiT-1 immunopositivity, PiT-2 was clearly recognized in these cells. These results suggest that SLC20 family plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cellular Pi homeostasis particularly in the brain. The viewpoint is compatible with the finding that calcification in IBGC is recognized only in the brain. This provides us with a novel viewpoint to understand the basic pathophysiology of IBGC through type-III Pi transporters.
