The distribution of copper, zinc and manganese in various regions of the brain and in other tissues of children with protein-calorie malnutrition

Abstract

1. The distribution of copper, zinc and manganese in seven regions of the brain, liver, heart, muscle from the abdominal wall, and skin of children was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry.2. The results showed significantly lower levels of Cu, Zn and Mn in livers of children with kwashiorkor compared with control subjects. The concentrations of these three elements were higher in livers of children with marasmus than in livers of children suffering from kwashiorkor and not significantly different from those of control subjects.3. The Cu concentration in muscle obtained from the abdominal wall of subjects with kwashiorkor and the Mn concentration in heart muscle of all groups with protein-calorie malnutrition were significantly lower than the respective values for the control group.4. There was no significant difference between Cu, Zn or Mn concentration in brain tissues of control subjects and in those with protein-calorie malnutrition.