Metallothioneins are small, cysteine-rich proteins that avidly bind heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and cadmium to reduce their concentration to a physiological or nontoxic level. Metallothionein gene transcription is induced by several stimuli, notably heavy metal load and oxidative stress. Transcriptional induction of metallothionein genes is mediated by the metal-responsive transcription ...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc/ copper ratio in the serum of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qom Province, center of Iran. METHODS Serum levels of zinc and copper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and serum iron concentration was measured by using an Auto Analyzer. The study grou...

The serum concentrations of zinc and copper were measured in 50 patients with multiple sclerosis. Lower serum zinc levels were found compared to age- and sex-matched controls. In younger patients low serum copper concentrations were noted. Zinc concentrations in CSF were unchanged. The possibility that malabsorption of the metals causes the low serum concentrations is discussed.

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) of Alzheimer's disease can reduce copper (II) to copper (I) in a cell-free system potentially leading to increased oxidative stress in neurons. We used neuronal cultures derived from APP knock-out (APP(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice to examine the role of APP in copper neurotoxicity. WT cortical, cerebellar, and hippocampal neurons were significantly more susc...

AIM To assess plasma zinc and copper concentration in individuals with autism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Plasma from 79 autistic individuals, and 18 age and gender similar neurotypical controls, were tested for plasma zinc and copper using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS Autistic individuals had significantly elevated plasma levels of copper and Cu/Zn and lower, but not sig...

Introduction Minerals and trace elements such as zinc and copper have significant influence on development and growth of the fetus and newborn. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between low birth weight and maternal and neonatal zinc, copper levels. Materials and Methods This case – control study was done from September 2006 to Sep 2007 consisted of 65 infants with bir...

background: there have  been  several studies  done  on the role of metals in the occurrence  of multiple sclerosis (ms) disease, but their roles have not been confirmed yet. because of the lack of information on this issue, this study compared  the  serum  level  of  copper and zinc in ms patients with their levels in a control group. methods: this  was  an  analytical,  cross-sectional  study...

To investigate the impact of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma on semen parameters, 107 fertile and 103 subfertile males provided a standardized blood and semen specimen. Total calcium and magnesium concentrations were determined with colorimetric end point assay procedures. Zinc and copper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Semen ...

Zinc deficiency is clearly teratogenic in animals (1). The catabolism of maternal tissues during pregnancy, however, seems to protect the fetus from the teratogenic effects of hypozincemia (2). In humans, most evidence suggesting the importance of zinc during pregnancy comes from patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica, an inherited severe zinc deficiency state. These patients have spontaneo...

apart from the breast milk, infant formula and baby weaning food have a special role in infant diet. infants and young children are very susceptible to amount of trace elements. copper and zinc are two elements that add in infant food. lead and cadmium are heavy metals that enter to food chain unavoidably. dpasv is a benefit and applicable method for measurement of trace elements in food produc...