ABSTRACT
Trace element levels were measured by neutron activation analysis in spinal cord, liver and bone of 7 control patients dying of non-neurological disease and 15 patients dying of motor neurone disease (MND). The concentration of selenium was significantly elevated in the cervical cord, liver and bone in the MND group. Although spinal cord manganese levels were increased at both the cervical and thoracic levels, the hepatic concentration was reduced in the MND patients. These findings are discussed in relation to current understanding of the pathogenesis of MND.
Subject(s)
Manganese/analysis , Motor Neurons , Neuromuscular Diseases/metabolism , Selenium/analysis , Trace Elements/analysis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bone and Bones/chemistry , Female , Humans , Liver/chemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Neutron Activation Analysis , Spinal Cord/chemistryABSTRACT
Trace elements were estimated in the spinal cord, liver and bone of five patients dying of motor neuron disease and five control subjects dying of non-neurological disease. The content of selenium in cord and liver and the cord manganese level were significantly increased in the motor neuron disease patients. These findings are discussed in terms of the possible aetiology of motor neuron disease.
Subject(s)
Motor Neurons/metabolism , Neuromuscular Diseases/metabolism , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Trace Elements/metabolism , Aged , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Humans , Liver/metabolism , Manganese/metabolism , Middle Aged , Selenium/metabolismABSTRACT
We compared the long-term effects of captopril and placebo on patients with heart failure in a double blind crossover fashion. Serum and total body electrolytes were measured and the response to 6 week periods of treatment with captopril determined. During the placebo phase of the study, total body potassium was low at 92 +/- 14% of predicted normal (P less than 0.05) and total body sodium was high at 104 + 7% of predicted normal (P less than 0.05). Total body chlorine did not differ from predicted normal (99 + 12%). In those patients with active plasma renin concentrations above the normal range (greater than 50 microU ml-1) total body potassium was even more markedly deplete (85 + 13% of predicted normal). This group was also characterized by lower serum potassium and sodium concentrations and lower blood pressure. Total body potassium increased significantly on captopril, and the rise was greatest in those with the highest plasma renin concentrations during the placebo phase of the study. However, captopril had no significant effect on total body sodium and chlorine or weight indicating that no long-term natriuresis had occurred.