Shuichi Hatano

Trace elements (copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium) in plasma and erythrocytes in relation to dietary intake during infancy.

All determinations of copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium were performed with a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Seventy-three full-term infants aged 1 to 52 weeks were divided into three age groups. Each age group contained two subgroups, breast-fed and formula-fed. No statistically significant differences between formula-fed and breast-fed subgroups were found in regard to the levels of copper and zinc in plasma and erythrocytes. At 1 to 5 weeks of age, the manganese concentration of erythrocytes was higher in formula-fed than in breast-fed infants (p < 0.001). This might be due to the high dietary intake of this element in the formula-fed subgroup. On the other hand, plasma selenium concentrations were significantly higher in breastfed than in formula-fed infants of all ages (p < 0.01 at 1 to 5 weeks and p < 0.05 at 6 to 52 weeks). This suggests that selenium compounds are biologically more available for infant nutrition in breast milk than in formula.

Changes in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in a patient with copper deficiency

In a patient with typical copper deficiency, we found superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1.15.1.1) activity and copper in erythrocytes to be decreased to 52% and 46% of age-matched controls, respectively. However, these were not so markedly depleted as plasma copper (17%) or ceruloplasmin (20%). After copper replacement therapy, erythrocyte copper and SOD activity gradually returned to the control levels. Although certain abnormalities reported in copper deficiency in animals were expected, osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of the patient was normal and damage of the liver and heart were not a feature as far as could be determined by electrocardiography and routine laboratory examinations. Probably a decrease of SOD to this extent is not severe enough to lead to superoxide-induced damage.

Plasma Selenium Concentration in Healthy Japanese Children and Adults Determined by Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

This study showed a rapid and direct method for determining selenium concentration in plasma by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and differences in plasma selenium concentration in healthy children and adults. A direct method is possible, since selenium is heat stable in the presence of nickel. With this method, the recovery of selenium added to plasma was 100.3 +/- 5.7%, and the relative standard deviation in repeated determinations of pooled plasma selenium was 3.0% and 6.8%. The plasma selenium concentration in adults was 99.4 +/- 12.5 ng/ml, lower than reported concentrations from the United States and Canada, and higher than those from New Zealand. These variations may reflect dietary habits, bioavailability of selenium compounds in diet, racial difference, or different analytical methods. The mean concentration of plasma selenium at 1 to 6 months of age (51.0 +/- 13.1 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in adults (p less than 0.001); it increased gradually and steadily to the adult level with age. This age-related difference of plasma selenium level is similar to that reported previously.

Zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium metabolism in patients with human growth hormone deficiency or acromegaly

Summary This study was designed to evaluate trace metal metabolism in patients with known abnormalities of human growth hormone (hGH). The mean concentration of zinc in plasma and urine decreased in patients with hGH deficiency after hGH injection, whereas, after adenomectomy, in patients with acromegaly, zinc increased in plasma, remained the same in erythrocytes, and decreased in urine. There was a negative correlation between plasma zinc and serum hGH levels and a positive correlation between urinary zinc excretion and serum hGH levels in acromegaly. In hGH deficiency, the copper content remained unchanged in plasma and erythrocytes and rose in urine after treatment; however, in acromegaly, the copper content increased in plasma and remained unchanged in erythrocytes and urine after surgery. The mean concentration of erythrocyte manganese did not change significantly after treatment in patients with hGH deficiency or acromegaly, but the pre hGH treatment level of erythrocyte manganese in hGH deficiency was lower than in the controls. Plasma selenium concentrations were decreased in hGH deficiency and increased in acromegaly patients after therapy. These results suggest that hGH affects the metabolism of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. hGH treatment level of erythrocyte manganese in hGH deficiency was lower than in the controls. Plasma selenium concentrations were decreased in hGH deficiency and increased in acromegaly patients after therapy. These results suggest that hGH affects the metabolism of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.

Effect of Zinc Ion on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Stimulated in Vitro Production of Cyclic AMP and Testosterone by Rat Testis

Summary: This study explores the effects of several divalent metal ions on the in vitro production of cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, and testosterone by rat testicular tissue and on the amount of binding of [125I]human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the testis. Zn2+ at concentrations of 10-6 to 10-4 M enhanced the hCG-stimulated production of cyclic AMP and testosterone, but only in the presence of Ca2+. [125I]hCG binding to rat testicular tissue was not affected by Zn2+. Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ did not increase cyclic AMP or testosterone production in concentrations of 10-7 to 10-3 M and even inhibited them at a high concentration (10-2 M). Cyclic GMP production was not affected by these divalent ions. These results suggest that Zn2+ may play an important role in rat testicular steroidogenesis.

A case of Menkes syndrome with cataracts

A 2-year and 9-month-old boy with Menkes syndrome is reported. In addition to the typical features of this syndrome our patient had bilateral cataracts. The relation between abnormal copper metabolism and cataract is discussed.

Copper Deficiency in a Japanese Infant on Milk Formula

Copper deficiency in human is uncommon. We described a 7‐month‐old Japanese infant who developed copper deficiency while being fed milk formula alone, and exhibited neutropenia, sideroblastic anemia and bone changes resembling scurvy and osteoporosis.

Cushing's disease: pituitary microadenoma demonstrated by high resolution computed tomography with thin slices

A girl 16 7/12; years of age with Cushings disease secondary to pituitary microadenoma is described. The tumor was very clearly demonstrated by high-resolution contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with thin slices and was removed by transsphenoidal micro-adenomectomy. In some patients with Cushings disease levels of ACTH and cortisol are not always high. Therefore, high-resolution contrast-enhanced CT with thin slices should be performed when the diagnosis of Cushings disease is suspected even when the definite diagnosis cannot be established by endocrinological examinations.