The Estimated Daily Loss of Trace Elements from Normal Skin by Desquamation

Abstract

The content of 21 elements (As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mo, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, W and Zn) in normal epidermis has been determined with the aid of neutron activation analysis. The dermal loss of these elements via desquamation has been calculated in view of its possible importance in balance studies. For the bulk elements Ca, K and P, the calculated daily loss is considered to be negligible. For some of the trace elements, however, the loss may be appreciable. The daily loss of Fe by desquamation may be as much as one fourth of the daily urinary iron excretion; the corresponding fraction for Co, Cu, and Zn is one tenth.

Serum Zinc in Athletes in Training

“…Fig. 3 is an attempt to summarize the quantitative aspects of Zn metabolism in adult man on the basis of the presently available data (1, 9,23,25,30,33,36). Obviously, further research is necessary to clarify several details, particularly concerning sweat and urinary elimination of Zn in athletes.…”

Impact of epidermal desquamation on tissue stores of iron

“…Daily absorption of approximately 1mg of dietary iron through the gut is balanced by an equal amount excreted through the stool (0.6mg/d), urine (0.15–0.2mg/d) and skin (0.2–0.25mg/d)[8]. Desquamation of keratinocytes accounts for the 20–25% of absorbed iron that is lost through skin [9–11]; very little is lost through sweat [12, 13]. Total body iron content is normally regulated at the level of absorption from the gut: absorption is increased when body stores are low, limited when body stores are high.…”

Neutron activation analysis of trace elements in skin.

“…Its selenium content was found to be within +5-io",, of the certified value. It would seem reasonable to compare our epidermal figure with that of Molin & Wester (1976), although we believe it is essential to make comparisons between identical skin sites.…”

“…Persigehl et al (1977) found that the concentration of selenium in skin decreased with age. In an investigation of daily losses of trace elements from normal skin by desquamation, Molin & Wester (1976) found the content of selenium in the epidermis to be 11+ 052 p.p.m. dry weight.…”