Adrenocorticosteroid hormones and manganese metabolism

Abstract

An effect of two glucocorticosteroids on the transport of the essential trace element, manganese, is described. Mice receiving high doses of prednisolone or cortisol accumulated more radiomanganese in their carcasses and retained less in their livers than did untreated controls. In some respects this effect was similar to that seen when manganese salts were administered as significant metabolic loads. It was brought on regardless of whether the injected isotope was in the divalent ionic form or in the plasma-bound form. Treatment with mineralocorticosteroids alone did not affect manganese metabolism as tested here. Furthermore, Zn65 did not respond to the glucocorticoid effects exhibited by Mn54.

Slow turnover of manganese in active rheumatoid arthritis accelerated by prednisone

“…The present paper suggests the existence of biological controls for manganese in man, similar to those in other mammals (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Thereafter it documents a slow turnover of this metal in one patient with hydralazine disease and in seven with active rheumatoid arthritis.…”

“…A slow turnover of the metal is evident only in the total body, liver, and thyroid measurements, but not in those obtained over the thigh (compare with Table III). The hormone had accelerated only these slow rates, whereas the rate of loss of the isotope from the thigh may even have become decelerated (18,19). The latter finding was not clearly evident in all records.…”

“…The long-lived (tj = 314 days) gamma rayemitting, carrier-free MMn++, as well as the nonradioactive, natural 6'Mn++ (MnSO), have been discussed earlier (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Each batch of radioisotope was first tested for toxicity in rabbits or mice.…”

“…most rapid turnover (16)(17)(18)(19)(20) with the thyroid RESULTS ranking as second. By contrast, the ear and the Turnover of "4manganese.…”

“…Furthermore, both glucocorticoid hormones (18) and adrenocorticotropin ACTH (19) shifted manganese from the liver to the carcass in mice. It seemed worthwhile to seek similar effects in man.…”