Effect of diabetes on the tissular Zn/Cu ratio

One of the parameters related to the development of coronary disease in diabetic patients is the tissular Zn/Cu ratio. We evaluated the levels of Zn and Cu, and the Zn/Cu ratio in insulin target tissues in diabetic and normoglucemic growing Wistar rats in order to determine the influence of diabetes and the disease evolution period. Diabetes was induced chemically by administration of streptozotocin. In order to determine the influence of the duration of diabetes on the Zn/Cu ratio, three time periods were studied: 7, 21 and 60 days. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and the target tissues (liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle) were removed. Zn and Cu levels were measured by AAS after wet mineralization. STZ-induced diabetes modified the tissular Zn and Cu content. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in liver and adipose tissue, but not in skeletal muscle. The in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, but not in liver, effects were dependent on the duration of diabetes. The Cu content was higher in the liver of diabetic rats (p < 0.1) and lower in adipose tissue (p < 0.1) and skeletal muscle (NS). Tissular Cu levels also were affected significantly by the duration of diabetes. The Zn/Cu ratio showed a generalized decrease, except in skeletal muscle. This decrease was dependent on the presence of diabetes mellitus and the duration of the disease (p < 0.01).

[Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx. A report of 3 cases]

Cartilaginous tumours of the larynx are very seldom encountered. Worldwide literature report until now no more than 250 cases. The greatest number of cases (72%) are benign and localized on cricoid cartilage. They are characterized by its slow pace spread and chondrosarcomata shows scant tendency to metastasize, prevailing, instead, local increase. Best treatment resulted the conservative surgery. We report 3 cases (1 chondroma and 2 low ranked chondrosarcomata) diagnosed and treated in our Hospital in the last 15 years. Clinical and anatomopathologic features are exposed and the management as well, and also the postoperative course of each patient.

[The effect of chromium picolinate on the liver levels of trace elements]

Chromium picolinate has been implicated as a lipid and carbohydrate reducing agent, and therefore it may be a valuable adjunct to the treatment and prevention of diabetes and heart disease. This compound is inexpensive and apparently nontoxic. In this work, we have determined the influence of its administration (100, 200, 500 micrograms Cr/ml, for 7 and 21 days) on hepatic content of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe of male Wistar rats. The results show a variation of the levels of these elements after the administration of chromium picolinate, although the differences are only significantly (p < 0.01) in the case of Mn. This influence is dose-dependent, occurring a decrease of 72% in the group treated with 500 micrograms/ml (Pic-500) respect to the content of control group.