Trace element changes in the pancreas during viral infection in mice.
BACKGROUND
The trigger for some cases of juvenile diabetes has been suggested to be an interaction between a virus and various trace elements. Infection with human coxsackievirus B3 (CB3) in the murine model results in viral replication and inflammation in the pancreas.


OBJECTIVE
To determine how infection affects the trace element balance in the pancreas.


METHODS
Concentrations of the following trace elements were measured in the serum and pancreas during the early phase (days 1 and 3) of CB3 infection in female Balb/c mice: aluminium, arsenic, cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium, silver, vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn). The trace element concentrations were measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The histopathology was established by hematoxylin-eosin techniques and immunohistochemical staining of both CD4 and CD8 cells of the pancreas.


RESULTS
Infected mice developed expected clinical signs of disease. The only changes at day 1 occurred in the serum, with a pronounced decrease in the Zn concentration and a small increase in the V concentration. At day 3, concentrations of several trace elements, including Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca, V, and Mn, showed pronounced changes in both the serum and the pancreas. Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, and V, but none of the potentially toxic elements, accumulated in the pancreas. Cu and V concentrations increased in the serum as well.


CONCLUSIONS
Several trace element changes, preceding the development of pancreatitis, occurred in the pancreas in this viral infection, the exact pathogenic interpretation of which warrants further studies.
Ilbäck
Nils-Gunnar
NG
Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden. ngil@slv.se
Benyamin
Gad
G
Lindh
Ulf
U
Fohlman
Jan
J
Friman
Göran
G
D000818:Animals; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004770:Enterovirus; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010179:Pancreas / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors
D008670:Metals