Zinc concentration in leukocytes: mononuclear cells, granulocytes, T-lymphocytes, non-T lymphocytes and monocytes.

This study was designed to evaluate the zinc concentrations of leukocytes: monon· uclear cells, granulocytes, T and non-T lymphocytes and monocytes. The zinc content of leukocytes was 0. 137 ±0. 040 μg/10 7 cells. The zinc content of mononuclear cells (0. 188±0. 030 μg/10 7 cells) was higher than in granulocytes (0. 086± 0. 023 μg/10 7 cells) (p, DNA dependent RNA polymerase2>, and thymidine kinase3>. Inasmuch as these enzymes are important for nucleic acid and protein synthesis and cell division, zinc appears to be essential for the integrity of host defense mechanisms. All glassware was first cleaned in the usual manner, then immersed for a minimum of 24 hours in 15 percent nitric acid, and rinsed thoroughly three times in deionized distilled water. A review of the literature failed to find any reports on the zinc content of leukocytes. In this study we investigated the zinc content of leukocytes: mononuclear cells, granulocytes, T and non-T lymphocytes and monocytes. Eighty ml of fasting morning blood from healthy adult volunteers was drawn into heparinized disposable plastic syringes with stainless steel disposable needles. Leukocytes were prepared by dextran sedimentation. The mononuclear cell-granulocyte ratio in the leukocyte fraction was 3 : 7. Mononuclear cells were prepared by centrifugation *> gg ~~. ~~!llJ~-. #IQ!lfm-=f, :!ili:ff ~. S#M~ : l:'.:l.Ifil3*, *~3*. m;fJL3*, T!) /' /~3*. ~fT !) /' /~3*. *3*ifi IT) :!mjB{I~)c. v:::> \, 'L