A case of hyperzincemia with functional zinc depletion: a new disorder?

Sampson, Barry, Kovar, Ilya Z., Rauscher, Anne, Fairweather-Tait, Susan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1413-5569, Beattie, John, McArdle, Harry J., Ahmed, Riaz and Green, Colin (1997) A case of hyperzincemia with functional zinc depletion: a new disorder? Pediatric Research, 42 (2). pp. 219-225. ISSN 0031-3998

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Abstract

We report the case of an 11-y-old boy with a plasma Zn concentration greater than 200 μmol/L, but with symptoms consistent with Zn deficiency. He has had hepatosplenomegaly, rashes, stunted growth (<3rd centile), anemia, and impaired immune function since infancy. He also has vasculitis and osteoporosis. A plasma Zn-binding protein has been separated and characterized by a combination of size exclusion and ion exchange chromatography and electrophoretic studies and by immunologic methods. Antibodies to the partially purified protein have been raised in rabbits. Size exclusion chromatography shows that Zn is bound to a protein with a mass 110 000-300 000 kD. Electrophoretic and mass spectrometry studies suggest that the protein may be composed of several subunits. One component of the isolated protein reacts with antiserum to α2-macroglobulin; immunoprecipitation studies confirm that the protein is not α2-macroglobulin or a histidine-rich glycoprotein. Kinetic studies of zinc metabolism in the patient and his mother with stable Zn isotopes show the presence of increased exchangeable Zn, with a rapid flux from plasma to a stable pool. Liver and muscle Zn and Cu concentrations are raised, but with no abnormal liver histology. Immunoreactive metallothionein in the liver is increased. We suggest that this boy may suffer from a previously unrecognized inborn error of Zn metabolism causing symptomatic zinc deficiency.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biopsy,blood proteins,child,growth disorders,hepatomegaly,humans,immunity,male,splenomegaly,zinc
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	05 Aug 2014 12:26
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 01:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/49203
DOI:	10.1203/00006450-199708000-00015

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