Changes in zinc metabolism during the course of the nephrotic syndrome
1980
Reimold, Ekkehard W.
A low zinc concentration in hair of most nephrotic syndrome patients may indicate a more profoundly disturbed zinc balance than previously believed. Plasma zinc level was decreased as long as proteinuria was present. An increase in the serum zinc-albumin ratio was found in the presence of proteinuria, indicating a proportionally larger loss of albumin. The zinc-globulin ratio was three times lower in nephrotic patients than in controls, and slightly decreased even in children who were in complete remission. Changes in zinc transport proteins, therefore, do not adequately explain hypozincemia. Prednisone also failed to lower the plasma zinc concentration. The rate of urinary zinc excretion showed little change throughout the course of the nephrotic syndrome. The data suggest that presently unknown factors exert an influence on zinc balance in nephrotic syndrome patients. The findings on hair concentrations are being investigated further to explore the degree of zinc imbalances.
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