James F. Sullivan

Serum magnesium and copper levels in myocardial infarction.

The serum levels and urinary excretion of magnesium and copper were studied in 66 patients with either acute myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction. Serum for magnesium and copper determinations was obtained daily for three days. The initial serum magnesium levels were normal in patients with ischemia but were low in some patients with myocardial infarction. Patients developing ventricular arrhythmias with myocardial infarction showed the lowest levels of serum magnesium. Copper in the serum appeared elevated in patients developing acute congestive heart failure but the elevation was not statistically significant. These data indicate that a decrease in serum magnesium as evaluated may be associated with ventricular arrhythmias in patients with myocardial infarction; thus continued observations of magnesium levels in the myocardial infarction patient is warranted.

The zinc content of pancreatic secretion.

Summary Duodenal aspiration in seven normal subjects after secretin stimulation showed a mean secretion of 142 μg of zinc in 60 min with a range of 118 to 210,μg. Patients with chronic pancreatitis responded to secretin with lower total volumes, bicarbonate concentration and zinc content. Zinc concentration was also depressed. Cirrhotic patients excreted significantly less zinc than normal subjects although total volume of secretion was larger and the total bicarbonate excretion was within normal limits.

The effect of aging on trace element content of various rat tissues: I. Early stages of aging

The total protein and trace element content in various tissues from 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 day-old rats were determined. Protein content in heart, skin and hair continued to increase as a function of age whereas liver, kidney and lung protein content showed no change after the weaning period. The protein content in all tissues tested decreased sharply to minimum values at 2 to 4 days of age before increasing to constant levels.The trace element content of tissues tested fluctuated prior to weaning. This fluctuation was parallel to changes in milk copper and zinc levels from lactating rats. The concentration of most trace elements in the various tissues leveled off to steady values after weaning. Among the various trace elements studied, selenium and manganese content had the most profound increase as a function of age in liver and kidney.