title: Selenium, boron, and germanium deficiency in the etiology of Kashin-Beck disease.
abstract: Concentrations of selenium (Se), boron (B), and germanium (Ge) were determined in scalp hair of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), in healthy children in KBD-disease endemic areas, and in healthy children in non-KBD areas. Mean Se, B, and Ge concentrations were low in children with KBD; in hair of healthy children in KBD areas, Se levels were normal but B and Ge levels were lower than in KBD-free areas. The hair levels of B and Ge were unaffected by selenium supplementation. It is suggested that B and Ge deficiency may be contributing factors in the etiology of KBD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endemic Bone Diseases, Xi'an Medical University, PR China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lingxia
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Schrauzer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001895:Boron / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005857:Germanium / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D005857:Germanium; D012643:Selenium; D001895:Boron