Serum zinc levels during oral glucocorticoid therapy.
The course of serum zinc (S-Zn), plasma albumin (P-Alb), urinary zinc, serum alkaline phosphatase, and plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin levels was monitored in 14 adult hospitalized patients receiving oral glucocorticoid therapy, about 40-50 mg prednisone daily for various skin diseases. Within 3 days S-Zn decreased slightly from 12.6 +/- 2.3 mumol/liter (mean +/- SEM) to 11.1 +/- 2.5 mumol/liter. Then the level rose to about 14-15 mumol/liter and remained elevated, but within the normal range for the next 2 weeks. The P-Alb level showed parallel fluctuations although less pronounced. The S-Zn/P-Alb ratio increased from 0.024-0.029. No consistent patterns could be seen in the fluctuations occurring in the additional parameters studied. The possible role of ACTH on the S-Zn regulation is discussed.
Weismann
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K
Høyer
H
H
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc