Chronic pancreatitis in farmed pigs fed excessive zinc oxide.

Most of the pigs on a farm in Aichi Prefecture, Japan had chronic diarrhea and severe wasting. The pigs had consumed 8,000 ppm zinc oxide (ZnO) as a feed additive. The pancreas of each of 4 autopsied pigs was less than half the normal size. Acinar cells were considerably decreased. Epithelial duct-like cells were increased and tested positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Ki67, PGP9.5, and Sox9. Pancreatic islet cells were decreased and shrunken. The α and δ cells were relatively decreased, and their distribution was abnormal. Islet cells were positive for PGP9.5. The livers and kidneys had high accumulations of zinc (Zn; 788 µg/g and 613 µg/g, respectively). Copper was deficient in the liver, likely as a result of Zn poisoning. Our immunohistologic examination suggested that the high dose of ZnO could influence the function of islet cells in addition to that of acinar cells. Given that colistin sulfate has been banned as a feed additive in order to reduce antimicrobial use in Japan, the use of ZnO in the livestock industry is expected to increase. Zn supplementation of pig feed must be monitored to prevent Zn poisoning and contamination of soil and water.

The toxicology of ion-shedding zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are nanomaterials that are widely used in many fields. ZnO NPs are ion-shedding particles, and zinc ions produce important and potent effects that differ from those of other metal or metal oxide NPs. Several studies have reported the toxicological effects of ZnO NPs administered via several different routes, including orally, dermally, by pulmonary absorption, intraperitoneally, and intravenously. Some potential routes for human exposure have produced various toxic effects in animal models. Moreover, several in vitro studies using a range of cell lines have reported the mechanisms underlying ZnO NP toxicity. Zinc ions play a very important role in ZnO NP toxicity, although the effects of the particulate form cannot be excluded. A crucial determinant of toxicity is the solubility of ZnO NPs, which is influenced by various factors, including the pH of the environment in tissues, cells, and organelles. In addition to the inflammatory responses and oxidative stress known to be induced by ZnO NPs, these NPs also exhibit some positive anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and pro-coagulant effects at sub-toxic doses; these effects are probably induced by zinc ions, which are an essential element in cell homeostasis. It is highly likely that there are additional distinct mechanisms at sub-toxic doses and concentrations, which may be concealed or altered by the toxic effects observed at higher levels of ZnO NPs. Furthermore, many signaling pathway molecules associated with necrosis and apoptosis can be activated, leading to cell death. This review presents the status of ZnO NP toxicology and highlights areas requiring further investigation.

Metal fume fever: a review of the literature and cases reported to the Louisiana Poison Control Center.

Metal fume fever (MFF) is an important occupational-related illness resulting from inhalation of volatile metal oxides, especially zinc, that are produced during welding or cutting of metal materials. Onset of MFF is rapid, occurring within a few hours after inhalation of the fumes. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, dyspnea, headache, myalgia, and malaise. Symptoms are self-limiting and typically resolve within 24 hours with a subsequent short-lived tolerance to zinc oxide fumes that disappears after one to two days of avoidance. In this report, we present an overview of MFF's history, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, regulatory guidelines, and prevention recommendations. This review is followed by a description of MFF cases reported by the Louisiana Poison Control Center to the Louisiana Office of Public Health's Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology during a two-year period.

A sudden death with lung embolism after inadvertent infusion of zinc oxide shake lotion.

A 74-year old woman in postoperative treatment after a colonic surgery died immediately after perfusion of about 1.5 mL of a white emulsion which was believed to contain 1% propofol via cardiac catheter into the right atrium. It was strongly suspected that a syringe with a zinc oxide shake lotion (consisting of 20% ZnO, 20% talc, 25% glycerol and 35% water) which was intended for external treatment had been mistaken for the propofol syringe. During autopsy, an anatomic cause of death could not be found. In order to exclude an intoxication and to determine the significance of the perfusion fluid in this context, toxicological and histological investigations were performed. Propofol and other drugs applied to the patient were found in therapeutic or sub-therapeutic range. However, in comparison to a control case, the zinc concentrations determined by AAS were about 200 times higher in lung tissue, 10 times higher in heart blood and 3-4 times higher in kidney and liver tissue. No increase was seen in venous blood. Histology showed a strong embolism of the lung tissue with birefingent sharp-edged crystals, which were identified as the talcum, and an amorphous component (ZnO). The same embolism was seen to a medium extent also in the brain sections and to a low extent in heart, liver, pancreas and kidney. Pulmonary embolism by talcum and zinc oxide was established as the cause of death which occurred by syringe swap due to insufficient security precautions in the drug administration. The results are discussed in context of pulmonary microembolism cases frequently described for drug addicts after injection of crashed talcum containing tablets.

Fiebre por humo de metal en un soldador de profesión / Fever due to metal smoke in a professional welder

La fiebre por humo de metal consiste en un cuadro agudo, en relación con la inhalación de distintos metales pesados, particularmente el óxido de Cinc (Zn), objetivado en soldadores que trabajan con estos elementos. La prevalencia es desconocida. La aparición de sabor metálico, fiebre, tos, disnea, entre otros síntomas, durante las 4-10 horas posteriores a soldadura con metal, nos deben poner alerta sobre este posible cuadro

Fever due to metal smoke consists in an acute picture in relationship with inhalation of different heavy metals,especially zinc oxide (Zn), observed in welders who work with these elements. Its prevalence is unknown. The appearance of metallic taste, fever, cough, dyspnea, among other symptoms, for 4-10 hours after soldiering metal alerts us on this possible picture

Zinc exposure in Chinese foundry workers.

BACKGROUND: Inhalational exposure to zinc oxide fumes is associated with metal fume fever, a self-limited but very uncomfortable condition closely resembling influenza. Very little is known regarding the toxicokinetics of inhaled zinc, making the interpretation of zinc measurements in serum and urine problematic. METHODS: Twenty workers in a zinc foundry in Baiyin, Peoples' Republic of China, were investigated with serial examinations by a physician, chest radiographs, and spirometry. Exposure assessment consisted of the measurement of zinc in serum, urine, and personal air samples. RESULTS: No cases of metal fume fever were observed during the study period despite exposures to as high as 36.3 mg/m3 over less than 4 hr. In addition, no radiographic or functional changes were noted. Serum zinc levels of all workers were within the reference range and did not correlate with external exposure measurements. However, elevations were noted in urinary zinc levels, which showed a significant association (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.47, P = 0.04) between exposure to zinc and urine zinc. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide exposure measurements for zinc at which workers demonstrate tolerance to the development of metal fume fever. Furthermore, they suggest that urine may be the preferred biological medium for the assessment of zinc exposure.

Early pulmonary cytokine responses to zinc oxide fume inhalation.

Zinc oxide inhalation causes metal fume fever, a flu-like syndrome common among welders. Proinflammatory pulmonary cytokines play a role in mediating this occupational illness. The goal of this investigation was to characterize early pulmonary cytokine responses after experimental human exposure to inhaled purified zinc oxide fume. We quantified bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytokine concentrations in 15 healthy volunteers 3 hr after inhalation of zinc oxide fume. We compared postexposure cytokine responses with postsham exposure responses in the same 15 subjects. We also compared cytokine responses with those of 14 "late follow-up" subjects previously studied by BAL 20 hr after zinc oxide fume exposure. Zinc oxide exposure was a statistically significant, dose-dependent predictor of increases in BAL TNF (mean exposure-sham difference +/- SE = 9.5 +/- 3.6 pg/mL, P = 0.02), IL-6 (mean exposure-sham difference +/- SE = 5.5 +/- 1.8 pg/mL, P = 0.009), and IL-8 (mean exposure-sham difference +/- SE = 64.1 +/- 23.9 pg/mL, P = 0.02). The TNF response was significantly greater at 3 hr follow-up compared with 20 hr follow-up, after adjusting for smoking status, zinc dose, and BAL macrophages (P = 0.004). Our findings provide evidence for a pulmonary inflammatory response 3 hr after inhalation of zinc oxide fume characterized by dose-dependent increases in BAL proinflammatory cytokine concentrations. These data indicate that TNF plays an important initial role in mediating metal fume fever.

[ARDS caused by military zinc fumes exposure]. / ARDS durch militärische Zinknebelexposition.

A previously healthy 19-year-old male was exposed to concentrated hexite smoke (ZnCl2) for several minutes during military training. The initial symptoms (vomiting, cough, dyspnea) disappeared after a few hours. After 48 hours the patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for 8 days. He left hospital 10 days after extubation. Spirometry at this time revealed a restrictive defect (vital capacity 50% predicted). Four months after the accident the patient had returned to work without symptoms of respiratory insufficiency. Lung function tests had normalized with the exception of a slight reduction in carbon monoxide diffusion. This case illustrates the typical course of inhalative intoxication with hexite. It underlines the importance of prolonged clinical surveillance in view of the latency between the initial symptoms of hexite intoxication and possible later development of ARDS.

[An atypical case of acute zinc poisoning]. / Nietypowy przypadek ostrego zatrucia cynkiem.

The paper discussed a case of acute zinc intoxication in a 48-year old welder, after four days of cutting zinc-plated pipes with an oxy-acetylene torch, in poorly ventilated places. The zinc fever has been diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and confirmed by laboratory findings: high zinc blood and erythrocyte concentration and increased urinary excretion of zinc. One year the intoxication the manifestations of the psycho-organic syndrome with predilection to pseudoneurotic reactions were still present. The non-standard factor in this case is the very short time of exposure to zinc oxide and the occurrence of chronic encephalopathy is also singular.

[A study on the characteristics of the occupational metal-fume fever].

Metal-fume fever is an occupational, acute poisoning disease of workers exposed to metallic oxides fume, especially zinc oxide fume is the most common cause. In order to recommend the diagnostic criteria, the authors of this paper mode hygienic investigations in the workplace, and clinical observations on to workers in the zinc metallurgic factories and copper processing factories. Scientific data for were collected this purpose.

Respiratory disease in adult cattle.

This article discusses the nomenclature of respiratory disease, acute respiratory distress syndromes, hypersensitivity diseases, chronic respiratory disease, and the differential diagnosis of respiratory disease.

Metal fume fever--a review.

Metal fume fever (MFF) is an acute industrial disease caused by the inhalation of a variety of heavy metal oxides. MFF occurs most commonly during welding operations, particularly those involving zinc oxide. The illness is of short duration and produces symptoms of cough, fever, chills, malaise, and myalgias. Its etiology is uncertain, and its diagnosis is difficult because symptoms resemble a number of pulmonary illnesses. Supportive treatment, with bed rest, analgesics, and fever control is used for symptomatic relief. Emergency medicine physicians must differentiate the clinical picture from other common respiratory illnesses. The mainstay of therapy for MFF consists of recognizing the disease and preventing subsequent exposure to harmful metals.

[The role of zinc compounds in forensic chemistry]. / Cinkvegyületek szerepe az igazságügyi kémiában.

Literary data on the intoxications with tin containing chemicals are reviewed. Attention is called to the fact, that the value of the DL of the chlorides in some works are mistaken for the sulphates and vice versa. Several cases of acute intoxication with soldering-water are reported. In these cases both the medical history and the autopsy findings referred only to intoxication with hydrochloric acid and the effect of other toxic agents was not suspected.

Morphological and histochemical changes occurring in the brain of rats fed large doses of zinc oxide.

An experimental study on the effect of feeding large doses of ZnO on the morphological and histoenzymatic pattern of the brain was conducted. 12 Wistar rats were given daily 100 mg of ZnO via a gastric tube. The poison was fed over a period of 10 days. The experimental rats developed minor morphological changes mainly in the hippocampal cortex and in the basal ganglia. A generalisation decrease of acP, ATPase, AChE and BuTJ activities along with an appreciable increase of TPPase and NsE activity was found in the brains of the intoxicated animals. An attempt was made to elucidate the pathogenesis of some of the findings.