title: Accumulation of manganese and copper in pallidum of cirrhotic patients: role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy?
abstract: Concentrations of zinc, copper and manganese were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in samples of globus pallidus obtained at autopsy from 9 patients with chronic liver disease and an equal number of age-matched controls. Manganese concentrations were significantly increased several fold (p < 0.01) in globus pallidus of liver disease patients accompanied by smaller but significant 2-fold increases of copper. Zinc concentrations, on the other hand, were within normal limits. Increased pallidal manganese offers a cogent explanation for the observed T1-weighted MRI signal hyperintensity in pallidum of cirrhotic patients. Increased copper content in brain suggests the existence of common pathophysiologic mechanisms in inherited (Wilson Disease) and acquired hepatocerebral disorders.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, Hôpital Saint-Luc (University of Montreal), Quebec.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Layrargues
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shapcott
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spahr
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Butterworth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008345:Manganese / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper