title: Skin zinc concentrations in patients with varicose ulcers.
abstract: The concentration of zinc in the skin has been determined noninvasively in patients with varicose vein ulcers. The examinations were performed with the use of diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, a method based on x-ray fluorescence for in vivo noninvasive evaluation of trace elements. Four skin foci were examined: at the periphery of the ulcer and control areas in a nonulcerated area in the diseased leg, in the noninvolved leg, and in the proximal inner surface of the arm. Zinc levels around the ulcer (mean +/- SD, 9.8 +/- 4.0 micrograms of zinc in 1 g of wet tissue) were higher than those in the nonulcerated skin in the diseased leg (6.9 +/- 3.0 micrograms/g, p greater than 0.05) and those in the noninvolved leg (5.4 +/- 2.0 micrograms/g, p less than 0.01). The concentration of zinc in the inner proximal surface of the arm (9.8 +/- 2.8 micrograms/g) was significantly higher than those of a control group (5.3 +/- 1.9 micrograms/g, p less than 0.01). These results suggest a defect of zinc distribution in patients with varicose vein ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loewenthal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seidenbaum
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubinow
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorodetsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004817:Epidermis / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000032:analysis*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc