background & aim: in some studies, changes in trace elements of abuse of addictive substances have been mentioned. due to the effects of trace elements on the immune system and their effects on susceptibility to infectious agents, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect(s) of morphine dependency on the concentration of trace elements (copper, zinc and manganese) levels in serum ...

In-cell NMR allows characterizing the folding state of a protein as well as posttranslational events at molecular level, in the cellular context. Here, the initial maturation steps of human copper, zinc superoxide dismutase 1 are characterized in the E. coli cytoplasm by in-cell NMR: from the apo protein, which is partially unfolded, to the zinc binding which causes its final quaternary structu...

This study investigated the association of copper and zinc levels in the serum or urine of patients living in northeast China, with either prediabetes or diabetes. From January 2010 to October 2011, patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D, n = 25), type 2 diabetes (T2D, n = 137), impaired fasting glucose (IFG, n = 12) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 15), and age/gender matched controls (n = ...

To estimate the levels of serum zinc, copper and prostate specific antigen in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (PCa) and to correlate their levels as screening test in the diagnosis of prostate neoplasms. Serum zinc and copper were estimated in 25 patients of BPH and 18 patients with PCa over a period of one year. All patients were males and aged between 5...

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...

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 ...

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...

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.

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...

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...