Analyses of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels and Copper/Zinc Ratios in Skin Diseases

With the objective of comprehending abnormal metabolisms of the essential metals of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in three groups of skin diseases, skin cancer, inflammatory diseases, and non-inflammatory disease, we measured serum levels of Zn and Cu in 151 cases of various cutaneous manifestations and estimated the significance of the ratios between the two metals (Cu/Zn). The serum level of Zn was significantly decreased in cases of bullous pemphigoid, decubitus ulcer, and alopecia areata. The serum level of Cu was elevated in cases of psoriasis, decubitus ulcer, and skin cancer. We observed no elevation of serum Zn level or abnormally depressed serum Cu level. The Cu/Zn ratio showed significantly different values among these three groups of the diseases, suggesting the utility of measuring Cu/Zn ratios for differential diagnosis over that of determining the serum level of Zn or Cu alone. It was also demonstrated that, in each skin disease, the Cu/Zn ratio clearly reflects the severity of the progress.     

Superoxide dismutase in epidermis (1)

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), which catalytically scavenges superoxide anion (O^–₂), constitutes an essential defense against the toxicity of oxygen. We investigated the enzyme activity of pig skin epidermis. SOD activity was determined by monitoring the inhibitory effect of SOD on red formazan formation from neotetrazolium, which depends on (O^–₂) generation. (O^–₂) was generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction. Pig epidermis contained significant amounts of heat-labile SOD activity which was proportional to the added epidermal homogenate. The optimal pH of the reaction was between pH 8.2 and 8.5. Metallochelating agents such as cyanide, sodium azide, and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) inhibited the epidermal SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. It has been known that two types of SOD, a Cu, Zn-type and a Mn-type, are present in eukaryotes; that the latter is insensitive to cyanide inhibition. Using this property, the main SOD present in the epidermis was hypothesized to be the Cu, Zn-type (8.6 ±1.1 unit/mg protein; around 75%); the Mn-type was a minor component (2.8 ± 0.2 unit/mg protein; around 25%). SOD staining following acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis revealed two epidermal SOD bands, one of which was abolished by the addition of cyanide. These results are consistent with the view that pig epidermis contains two types of SOD, a Cu, Zn-type and a Mn-type; the former appears to be predominant.     

New fast preparation of 123I labelled radiopharmaceuticals

A new fast kit preparation of ¹²³I labelled radio-pharmaceuticals such as IMP, HIPDM, MIBG and Hippuran is proposed. A radiochemical yield >99% is obtained at 100°C within 10–30 min. The new labelling procedure is based on the nucleophilic exchange in presence of Cu(I) and an excess of reducing agents. The four kit prepared ¹²³I-radiopharmaceuticals have been used with success in clinical studies involving 400 patients. The proposed method is also compared with earlier described methods which, yielding labelled side products and ¹²³I₂, do not fulfill the requirements for kit labelling.     

A clinical variance in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a point mutation in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene

We report here a novel point mutation in exon 5 of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene resulting in an amino acid substitution of valine¹⁴⁸ by isoleucine (V148I) in a Japanese family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). In this family, the age at onset was young (28.0 ± 3.8 years old, mean ± SD, n = 4) and the disease progression was rapid (22.0 ± 5.9 months, n = 3) with low Cu/Zn SOD activity (56.3 and 59.0% of the controls, n = 2). It is interesting that the clinical features of ALS varied very much among the affected members. One case had weakness of the lower extremities at first, and died without bulbar paresis. The second case first noticed wasting of the upper limbs with bulbar symptoms, but the third had weakness of upper extremities without developing dysarthria nor dysphagia until death. The living remainder first developed fasciculation of the tongue without weakness of extremities. The valine¹⁴⁸ is conserved among different species, and V148I mutation might destabilize dimer formation with another SOD subunit, leading to decrease enzymatic activity. These results suggested that there could be considerable clinical variance among the patients of FALS within one family, carrying the same Cu/Zn SOD mutation such as V148I.     

Alterations in vascular reactivity in single-and double-transgenic mice coe xpressing human APP-C100 and mutant SOD1 genes

Objective To explore the mechanism underlying changes in microvascular reactivity in single-and double-transgenic mice.Methods Peripheral vascular reactivity to the vasodilators, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, on perfused microvasculature of the hind footpad was investigated using nontransgenic mice, single-transgenic mice expressing the human APP-C100 (TgC100.WT or TgC100.V717F) and double-transgenic mice coexpressing human APP-C100 and human SOD(1) (G93A) genes. Results Single TgC100 and double Tg mice C100/SOD(1) (G93A) at 2-3 months old showed a statistical decrease of 28% in blood flux compared to nontransgenic control mice. In addition, vasodilative responsiveness was markedly reduced to 34% in 8-9 months old TgC100 mice compared to control mice. There was no significant difference in the profile of vasodilative reaction between TgC100.WT and TgC100.V717F mice. TgC100 and double Tg mice also had higher levels of Aβ peptide in plasma than nontransgenic mice (P<0.01). Conclusions The present study suggests that the altered reactivity of the microvasculature may be mediated by circulating soluble Aβ peptides. The mechanisms underlying the vasoactivity of circulating Aβ in TgC100 and double Tg mice may involve both the endothelium and nonendothelium.     

Identification of superoxide dismutase as a potential urinary marker of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic toxicity.

The aim of this study was the identification of a novel protein marker of hepatotoxicity in rat urine. Rats were dosed by gavage with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) to induce acute liver injury. Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionisation (SELDI) ProteinChip technology revealed the appearance of a 15.7kDa protein in the CCl(4)-treated rat urine. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) identified an 18.4kDa protein in the CCl(4)-treated rat urine. The appearance of either protein was coincident over a time course during which they first appeared at 12h post-dosing, peaked at 36h and had disappeared again within 3 days post-dosing. The protein was identified by in-gel digestion and nano-electrospray (nano-ES)-tandem mass spectrometry as Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-1). SOD activity was found to be increased by 61.4-fold in CCl(4)-treated rat urine. Western blots of tissue homogenates from the rats revealed a time-dependent loss of SOD-1 from the livers of CCl(4)-treated rats matching the time course of SOD-1 appearance in urine. SOD-1 is not specifically located in liver; however, its appearance in urine in response to acute CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity is a novel finding; this coupled with loss from the liver following injury suggests urinary SOD-1 may be a potential marker of hepatotoxicity.     

同一消解液同时测定中成药中砷汞铅铜含量的研究

以新癀片为对象采用同一的微波、酸消解法，用还原气化冷原子荧光法测汞；用氢化发生-电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测砷；用石墨炉原子吸收法测铅和铜。并用加际消化和国家标准物质的测定，证明方法准确可靠。     

Preparation and Performance of Mo/Cu/Fe Multi-Layer Composite Coating with Staggered Spatial Structure by Electro-Explosive Spraying Technology

In the present study, electro-explosive spraying technology was used to prepare a multi-layer composite coating with a staggered spatial structure on a 45 steel substrate, and the mechanical properties and wear behavior of the coating were studied. The composite coating was prepared by spraying Mo as the bonding layer, then spraying high-carbon steel and aluminum bronze alternately as a functional coating. The cross-sectional morphology, surface morphology and the properties of the coating were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and a 3D profilometer. The bonding strength, friction and wear resistance of the coating were studied by the bonding strength experiment and by the friction and wear experiment. The results showed that it is feasible to prepare a composite coating with a sponge-like spatial structure with electro-explosive technology. There was metallurgical bonding as well as mechanical bonding between the adjacent coating layers. The composite coating had the advantages of uniform thickness, high compactness, high bonding strength and good wear resistance.     

肝胆管结石病人头发微量元素含量分析

胆石症是常见、多发病。其病因复杂,尚有许多需探讨的难题。近年来微量元素与胆石症的相关性越来越被人们重视。本文用原子吸收分光光度计测定肝胆管结石患者头发中钙、镁、铜的含量,并与健康人作对照。分析结果显示,肝胆管结石患者头发中钙、镁、铜含量明显低于正常人、经统计学处理P<0.01,差异有极显著性。     

妊娠肝内胆汁淤积的病因学研究进展

妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症是妊娠期特有的一种并发症。目前其确切的发病机制尚未十分确切 ,但大量研究表明本病与激素、遗传、免疫、环境等因素有关。