Summary
Concentrations of zinc, copper and selenium were determined in plasma and leucocytes from 23 patients with psoriasis and 24 with eczema. Selenium was also determined in whole blood. Values were compared with those of matched controls. Levels of zinc in plasma and leucocytes were the same as in controls but copper and ceruloplasmin in plasma were significantly increased in both patient groups, probably as a result of the inflammatory condition. No similar increase was noted for leucocyte copper. Concentrations of selenium in whole blood, plasma and leucocytes were significantly reduced in both groups. This finding may be of importance in relation to the effect of free radicals on skin.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.