Zinc And Copper In Symptom-free Nigerians Those With Sickle Cell Disease Amd Other Pathological Conditions

Zinc and copper concentrations were estimated byatomic absorption spectrophotometry in serum, erythrocytesand scalp hair from inhibitants of northernNigeria. Other measurements performed were serumcaeruloplasnIN total protein, albumin and alkalinephosphatase, and blood haemoglobin and haematocrit.The mean serum zinc was significantly lower innon-elite Nigerians (Hausa rural farmers presenting asblood donors) (105.30 + 7.30 ug/100 ml) than in eliteNigerians (University senior staff) (128.90 + 5.80ug/100 ml) (Pecause offoetal demand. The raised serum copper in pregnancy may bedue to increased erythropoiesis.There was no significant difference in measurementsbetween Nigerians with normal haemoglobin pattern (Hb. AA.)and those individuals with sickle cell trait (Hb. AS.).Patients with sickle cell anaemia (Hb. SS.) were observedto have lower mean serum and hair zinc concentrations thanelite Nigerians (P<0.01). The erythrocyte zinc levelsdid not differ significantly between these two groups.There was no significant difference found in measurementsbetween Hb. SS and non-elite groups, but it is probablytrue that patients with Hb. SS, were nearer the elitefamilies than non-elite families. Patients with Hb. SS. inNigeria probably do not have clinically significantly zincdeficiency. An elevated serum copper in Hb. SS, is thoughtto be the result of increased erythropoietic activity.Patients with leg ulcers but not Hb. S.S., showed comparableserum zinc levels to patients With Hb. SS.. probablydue to zinc immobiligation from chronic tissue damage.Significantly decreased serum zinc concentrationshave been demonstrated in the following conditions: primaryliver cancer, hookworm anaemia, active pulmonarytuberculosis and leukaemias. The serum copper waselevated in these conditions. The pathophysiologicalmechanisms underlying these changes may be increasedurinary excretion and loss of body stores of zinc.These changes in serum zinc and copper may result inpart from a redistribution of the metals within thebody initiated by a hormone-like protein factor whichis released from phagocytic cells. This factor,leukocytic endogenous mediator (LEM), stimulates theliver to take up zinc and iron from serum into theliver and to synthesize additional quantities ofcaeruloplasmin.This work has established the normal ranges ofzinc and copper concentrations in the northernNigerian population with relation to social classand haemoglobin patterns, and that zinc deficiency isnot a common feature in Nigeria.The estimation of trace element concentrationsmay be a useful means of predicting the health statusof various community groups in the general population;and the changes occuring in trace element concentrationsmay be a useful tool in following the progress of patientswith malignant disease during the course of treatment.

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