Three-year study on trace mineral concentration in the blood plasma of Shetland pony mares.

Changes in some trace minerals concentrations (calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, sodium and potassium) in blood plasma were investigated during a three-year period in Shetland pony mares. Blood plasma mineral concentrations were determined by the atomic absorption method and colorimetric method. The three-year averages were in micrograms/ml; Na 4630 +/- 168; K 277 +/- 3.8; Ca 171 +/- 3.8; P 31.5 +/- 0.74; Fe 1.92 +/- 0.14; Zn 1.07 +/- 0.04 and Cu 1.06 +/- 0.02. Two trace minerals (magnesium in inorganic phosphorus) showed only long-term tendency changes--upward or downward trends were not connected with the season. Most of the investigated minerals showed both a long-term change tendency and more or less marked seasonally related concentration changes, being higher during autumn or winter (zinc, sodium), or during spring and summer (calcium, copper, iron and potassium). Some interrelationships between particular trace mineral concentrations in blood plasma were also observed.

Metabolic disorders in myocardial infarction. Changes in blood serum zinc, growth hormone, insulin and glucose concentration in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The authors examined the concentrations of zinc, HGH, insulin and glucose in blood serum of 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Zinc and HGH concentrations in blood serum correlated well with changes in the clinical state in these patients. The more severe the condition of the patient, the greater zinc concentration fall and HGH concentration rise in blood serum were noted. All the changes were statistically significant (P less than 0.001) in cases of severe clinical course and most distinct in cardiogenic shock. On the other hand, in MI of mild course, zinc concentration fall in blood serum was not accompanied by HGH rise. A positive correlation between the concentrations of zinc and HGH found in normal subjects became negative in patients with acute MI of severe course. The changes of zinc and HGH concentrations seem to be due to the non-specific effect of acute myocardial stress, particularly enhanced in MI with severe course and cardiogenic shock, Observation of the intensity of changes may have prognostic significance due to the fact that they were most distinctive in MI of most severe course.

Peripheral plasma levels of certain mineral elements in primitive African goats.

Changes in blood plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, sodium and potassium concentrations over a 3-year period were investigated in primitive goats. Blood plasma mineral concentrations were determined by atomic absorption and a colorimetric method. Changes in Zn and Ca concentrations are season dependent, potassium levels show only a long-term change tendency, and magnesium and inorganic phosphorus had constant levels throughout the investigation period. Iron, copper and sodium showed both long-term change tendencies and more or less marked season related changes.