Free Amino Acids, Copper, Iron and Zinc Composition in Sera of Patients with Thyrometabolic Diseases

Abstract

Free amino acids together with copper, iron and zinc were measured in sera of 67 adult patients with thyrotoxicosis (n = 29) or hypothyroidism (n = 38). In contradistinction to the almost indifferences exhibited by the three metals, many amino acids displayed significant relationships with the thyrometabolic activity (mainly tyrosine and arginine with r values of 0.5 and 0.44, respectively). Additional analyses revealed certain patterns, between trace metals and amino acids, which conferred challenging difficulties to interpretation. Thus while zinc was associated positively with some amino acids (such as glutamic acid and alanine), copper correlated almost invariably in a negative manner with citrulline, alpha-amino-butyric acid, proline, glycine and valine. This new information should contribute to our knowledge of the complex metabolism of both trace metals and amino acids.

Thyroid hormones modulate zinc transport activity of rat intestinal and renal brush-border membrane

“…Zn 2ϩ and thyroid function are related in several ways. Thyroid dysfunction influences Zn 2ϩ metabolism (18) and vice versa. Thyroid hormones have a significant role in controlling growth and functions of intestine and kidney (23,49).…”

Effect of Zinc Treatment on Serum Thyroid Hormones in Uremic Patients Under Peritoneal Dialysis

“…Zn and thyroid function are related in several ways. Thyroid dysfunction influences Zn metabolism (Bremner and Fell 1977;Hassan, Al-Awqati, Issac, Yadav and Bahman 1990) and Zn deficiency has a negative effect on thyroid function (Morley, Gordon and Hershman 1980;Hartoma, Sotaniemi and Maattanen 1979;Wada and King 1986). Although the role of Zn deficiency on thyroid hormones has been studied in some human diseases (Morley et al 1981;Canfield et al 1983;Napolitano, Palka, Lio, Bucci, De Remigis, Stuppia and Monaco 1990), its association in CRF was unknown.…”