Interaction of alcohol and zinc in fetal dysmorphogenesis

The interaction of low doses of alcohol and marginal zinc deficiency during gestation was studied in pregnant mice and their fetuses. The combination of the two agents at subteratogenic doses was related to increased external and internal defects. Pregnant mice fed a diet containing 10 micrograms/g zinc were orally dosed with 2.0 micrograms/g of 50% ethanol for 18 days of pregnancy. Fetuses from these dams presented with more fetal defects than fetuses from control dams. Analysis of maternal livers showed a significant effect of alcohol on liver magnesium and zinc. Changes in fetal heart zinc levels were the only significant tissue effect of alcohol in the fetus.

Placental mononuclear phagocytes as a source of interleukin-1

Mouse and human placental tissue contains a large number of mononuclear phagocytes. These cells, isolated from placenta, were shown to produce the multifaceted immune factor interleukin-1. Activity in the supernatants of 48-hour mononuclear phagocyte cultures was associated with a 12,000- to 18,000-dalton protein, consistent with known interleukin-1 characteristics. Stimulation of phagocytosis with latex beads increased the production and release of interleukin-1 from these placental cells, which may be a useful source of this protein.

Beta-endorphin levels in blood from selected Alaskan mammals

Blood samples were analyzed for beta-endorphin from 43 non-torpid black bear (Ursus americanus), 8 torpid black bear, 3 non-torpid brown bear (Ursus arctos), 14 moose (Alces alces), 6 mountain goats (Oreamnus americanus) and 30 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Beta-endorphin levels were detected in all species sampled and there were no significant differences in levels among non-torpid black bear, brown bear and sea lions. Also, no differences were detected between moose and mountain goats, but all other comparisons were significantly different (P less than 0.001). Torpid black bear had higher levels than all other groups. Moose and mountain goats had the lowest levels. The possibility of beta-endorphin influencing behavior and physiology of mammals is discussed.

Mineral deficiency effects on the generation of cytotoxic T-cells and T-helper cell factors in vitro

Generation of cytotoxic T-cell response of splenocytes was studied in vitro under copper, magnesium and zinc-deficient conditions. Viability of the short-term lymphocyte cultures in the deficient media was comparable with control condition viability. Cell mediated lympholysis (CML) was analyzed in an alloantigen-stimulated mixed lymphocyte culture (Balb/c versus CBA/H mice) using a 51Cr release assay. Lymphocytes cultured in copper and magnesium-deficient media failed to generate specific lysis to allogeneic target cells, whereas lymphocytes cultured in zinc-deficient media did generate T-killer cell activity at reduced levels. In examining the site of mineral deficiency effects, the actions of T-helper cell-produced factors was studied. There was no production of T-cell replacing factor (TRF) in any of the elementally deficient media by cultured splenocytes. The addition of TRF produced under normal control conditions to copper-deficient media completely restored the CML, whereas only a partial restoration of the CML was noted for the magnesium and zinc-deficient cells. The defect in the CML in the copper-deficient media appears to be focused on the T-helper cell, but magnesium and zinc deficiency effects appear to also be at other levels of cell differentiation and proliferation in the generation of CML.

Zinc status of pregnant alcoholic women: a determinant of fetal outcome

The zinc status of 25 alcoholic and 25 non-alcoholic pregnant women was measured and correlated with fetal outcome. The volume index of alcohol consumption and the Michigan Alcoholic Screening Test were used to define alcoholic women. The alcoholic women had significantly lower plasma-zinc levels that the non-alcoholic women (50.7 versus 72.2 micrograms/dl). Fetal cord-plasma zinc levels were also lower in the offspring of alcoholic women (65.5 versus 81.3 micrograms/dl). Manifestation of fetal dysmorphogenesis appears to relate to zinc status.

Where do cancer patients die? A review of cancer deaths in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 1957--1974

The great concern over the status and care of the dying cancer patient requires the understanding of current trends in care. An 18-year review of 55,288 death certificates of patients with cancer in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (1957--1974) revealed that 35,381 patients (65%) died in acute and chronic care hospitals, 8,251 patients (15%) died in nursing homes, and 11,242 patients (20%) died at home. Trends over the 18-year period demonstrated a shift from patients dying at home to patients dying in nursing homes. The hospital care of dying cancer patients remained unchanged during the study period. An analysis of 33 consecutive patients dying of cancer over a six-month period in an acute care hospital in Cuyahoga County showed an average length of stay of 20.1 +/- 15.7 days, during which only palliative care was provided. The cost benefit of home care/hospice programs is related to the final hospital stay of the dying cancer patient.

Copper and zinc metabolism with solid tumor growth

The variation in copper and zinc metabolism with tumor growth appears to relate directly to progression or regression of the disease. Historically, elevations in serum copper have been used as clinical indicators in hematological neoplasms since the early 1960s. More recently, we have monitored breast, colo-rectal, and lung cancer patients for a six-month period through courses of cytotoxic chemotherapy to determine copper and zinc changes with tumor growth. Groups were divided into responders and nonresponders blind to their serum copper and zinc levels. Trends in elevated serum copper with active disease have shown similar trends in decreasing values with effective therapy, but normalization was at a slower rate. Serum zinc levels in the same patients were markedly below normal and did not increase in the study period. The clinical significance or elevated serum copper and depressed serum zinc is discussed and the potential relationship between the two elements is explored. A solid tumor-bearing rat model, mammary adenocarcinoma R 3230 AC, has detailed more of the changes in copper and zinc metabolism with solid tumor growth. Serum copper and zinc varied with tumor mass, as in clinical studies. Liver values of the two essential metals did not change significantly, but liver-related copper-containing enzymes showed marked variations. Ceruloplasmin in serum increased with increasing tumor mass, as would be expected with the increased serum copper levels. Cytochrome c oxidase activity in liver homogenates from tumor-bearing animals was significantly depressed.

Trace element profiles in cancer patients

It has become evident over the last two decades that there is an intimate relationship between the trace elements and cancer. Some trace elements have been shown to be carcinogens, others appear to provide protection against cancer. Profound changes in trace element concentrations and distribution occur in patients with cancer, but most changes remain undefined.A review of a number of studies of trace element changes in patients with cancer demonstrates that simple correlations of trace element levels in disease are of only limited use. Such reports underscore the need for large-scale studies that consider the many variables of malignancies and of trace element chemistry. The variables that must be considered for cancer include tissue of origin; histologic, pathologic and clinical staging; nutritional status as reflected by serum levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, the electrolytes, pH, albumen, and globulin; endocrine balance, effects of previous and concurrent therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy; history of exposure to toxic agents; and the presence of other disease.Similarly, trace element studies entail variables that must be considered and controlled prospectively, including timing and techniques of sampling, storage, and analysis, and simultaneous measurement of at least the majority of possibly interrelated elements rather than studying one element at a time.The various national cooperative oncology groups such as ECOG, SWOG, and SEOG now offer unusually well-studied groups of cancer patients who are managed according to carefully and prospectively defined protocols in participating institutions. With present knowledge, it is now time to approach these groups with a proposal to incorporate trace element studies in their protocols. A potential protocol will be discussed.

Implications of the inhibition of animal tumors by dietary zinc deficiency

Because zinc is an essential nutrient for tissue growth, cellular division, protein synthesis, and DNA and RNA replication, it also ought to play a critical role in the growth of tumors. To test this thesis, a series of experiments were performed to test the effect of zinc deficiency on the lethality of a variety of solid and ascites tumors in mice and rats. Specifically, the following models were tested: Walker 256 carcinosarcomas, solid and ascites forms in rats; three mouse leukemias (L5178yf, L1210, and P388) in CDF, male mice; and Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BI/6 male mice. Rats receiving a zinc-deficient diet showed marked reduction of tumor growth, both of solid or ascites models, and this was accompanied by striking increase in survival. Survival of mice with transplanted leukemia was also significantly prolonged by zinc deficiency. In addition, growth of the Lewis lung carcinoma was inhibited, but the survival through increased, was probably limited by the adverse effects of zinc deficiency. The results suggest that tumor inhibition is a general effect of zinc deficiency, irrespective of cell type, cell growth rate, species, or site of growth. There are numerous potential applications of zinc metabolism to the diagnosis, therapy, and understanding of cancer.

Continuous fetal monitoring in the ambulant patient in labour

Fetal heart rate was monitored continuously in 30 ambulant women in labour by radiotelemetry. The procedure was practicable and, since contractions were less uncomfortable with the patient standing or walking about, reduced the need for analgesia. It also resulted in a more natural labour. Use of the procedure may lessen the risk of thromboembolism.

Moose milk and hair element levels and relationships

Milk was collected from 21 Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC), Soldotna, Alaska nad analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn. Hair samples were collected from 100 moose at the MRC to correspond with the lactation period and serve as a metabolic indicator of mineral elements stored in tissue. Published analyses of bovine milk were compared to moose milk; Al, Fe, Se and Zn were higher in moose milk by factors of 1.6 to 290. Elements potentially influenced by nutrition and those determined genetically were also considered. Elements in moose milk and hair values were compared, since mineral element levels in hair potentially reflect the availability and intake of these elements. Calcium and Mg were the only values in hair lower than the values in milk (factors of 4.2 and 1.5 respectively). Moose, as well as domestic cattle, apparently are subjected to lactation stress by the genetically determined levels of Ca and Mg in milk.

Arterial-venous magnesium gradients in hypovolemic shock: an indication of the irreversible state

Arterial-venous magnesium differences were examined in mongrel dogs stressed with reversible and lethal hypovolemia. Increases in serum Mg with hemorrhage have long been known to occur in both humans and animals, yet, increased blood Mg levels have not been viewed as an indicator of the irreversible shock state. The magnesium gradient was shown to be a good indicator of cell destruction which is consistent with lethal shock.

Serum corticoid levels relative to handling stress in Alaskan moose

Blood serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroids were compared to visual evaluation of handling stress in Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC). Moose were evaluated for handling excitability before and during handling when trapped, and were graded on a scale from 1 (not excited) to 5 (highly excited). There were significant differences in corticosteroid levels (a = 0.1) between each class comparison, except between classes 4 and 5, suggesting that this analysis provided a means to classify and compare other blood chemistry values from similarly stressed moose. Other factors may influence the 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels, but handling stress had an overwhelming influence. Other methods to evaluate handling stress, such as body temperature, should also be considered, but when not feasible this method may be utilized.