---

Background and Objective: Zinc and Copper are the important trace elements for human growth and body’s biological functions. These trace elements are the important cofactors of many enzymes. Serum variation of these trace elements are clinically important and should be taken into consideration, because fluctuation of these elements are behind many clinical manifestation in human. Diarrhea and vomiting can be the clinical symptoms associated with the toxic level of Zinc and Copper in the body. The concept behind this study is to determine the serum levels of Zinc and Copper in hemodialysis patients before and after dialysis, to explain the differences of such trace element concentration in these patients. Materials and Methods: This project is a comparative study. The sample population was 50 of hemodialysis patients chosen randomly from the patients referred to the 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan (33 male and 17 female). The concentration of Zinc and Copper of these patients was determined before and after the dialysis. Results: The results from this research projects indicated that the average concentration of Zinc and Copper in hemodialysis patients after dialysis were 135.32±59.32 and 136.40±51.52 microgram/deciliter which markedly increase in compare to the serum concentration of these trace elements before the dialysis which were 78.38±37.46 and 89.92±32.54 microgram/deciliter respectively. On the basis of the results, we found in this study the average increased concentration of Zinc and Copper after the process of dialysis among the hemodialysis patients had a meaningful statistical variation (P<0.001). Conclusion: Uremia, dialysis blood tube, heavy metal contamination, the quality of dialysis membrane and the quality of water used for the process of dialysis can be a reason for the increased concentration of Zinc and Copper. Such increase in the serum concentration of these trace elements can be the basis for some clinical abnormalities. Therefore it is suggested to determine the rate of released Zinc and Copper from hemodialysis machine, before the procedure is done To enable the medical team to evaluate the serum Zinc and Copper and correct it by nutritional therapy.

---

Background & Objective: Giardiasis is one of the most prevalent human intestinal parasites, especially among children aged between 2 to 12 years old. In this study, the effects of Giardiasis on serological levels of Zinc and Iron elements were determined. Materials & Methods: A total of 100 children aged under 12 years who were admitted to the pediatric departments of hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University with gastrointestinal complain, and diagnosed as having Giardiasis by stool examination (Direct and Formalin-ether technique and trichrome stain) in the parasitology department, were enrolled as the case group. The control group consisted of 100 age-matched healthy children. A questionnaire including age, physical growth status and clinical symptoms were completed. Serological levels of Zinc and Iron were measured by atomic absorption spectophotometer in all samples in Shilat of Mazandaran. Results: In this study, serum Iron levels were 67±25 µg/dl and 77±23 µg/dl and Zinc levels were 64±20 µg/dl and 96±23 µg/dl in case and control group, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the serological levels of these elements, which was much higher in serum Iron levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results revealed those serological levels of Zinc and Iron decreased during Giardiasis due to malabsorption.

---

Background&Objective: Copper and zinc, two essential trace elements, are neuroactive substances that can be synaptically released during neuronal activity. These metals have been implicated in diseases with neuropathological components, including Alzheimer's disease, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, Pick's disease, stroke and seizures. Copper and zinc levels in body tissues reflect many physiological and pathological conditions, including dietary factors, hepatic disease, and acute and chronic infections. The purpose of the present study was to examine the plasma levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in schizophrenic patients and to compare the Cu/Zn ratios with that of matched healthy subjects. Materials&Methods: Forty patients with schizophrenia (diagnosis were made according to DSM-IV) were sampled along with 50 healthy controls. Exclusion criteria included another concurrent psychiatric disorder, pregnancy, and medical disorders (endocrine, immune, liver cirrhosis, renal) or drugs (anticonvulsants, contraceptives, glucocorticoids) known to affect trace element metabolism. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn from an antecubital vein between 07.00 and 09.00 h. Plasma copper and zinc levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer GmbH, Uebelingen, Germany). Two-tailed t test was used to determine statistical differences. All data were analyzed with the computer program, GRAPHPAD software (V2.01+). Results: Mean±SE of sera copper levels in cases and controls were 145±28 and 65±3 µg/dl respectively (P<0.05). Also Mean±SE of sera zinc level in cases and controls were 67±2 and 81±4 µg/dl, respectively (P<0.05). Cu/Zn ratios was 2.07±0.38 and 0.87±0.04 in cases and controls respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant higher Cu/Zn ratio in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. These results suggest that Cu and Zn may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

---

Background and Objective: Zinc is one of the micronutrient with many roles in health, especially among the growing children. It has been thought that Zinc deficiency cause diarrhea, and Zinc supplementation can prevent it in children. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out to determine the effect of Zinc sulphat on 4-24 month old children dirrahea. This clinical trial study was done double blind, the sample were study 4-24 month old afflicted with acute diarrhea in pediatric ward of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran during 2006. The sample size was 40 and mached by Blocks Randomization. The children in case group (intervention) received Zinc sulfate (9mg/kg/day) during ten days. In the Control groups they there given distilled water instead. The data was analyzed, using t-test and manwitney test. Results: During ten days of monitoring there was not significant differences between two groups. Duration of diarrhea in case and control groups was 5.72±3.15 and 5.32±2.58 days respectivley this diffence was not significant. Conclusion: This study showed that Zinc sulfate has no benefit on acute diarrhea in childhood

---

Background and Objective: Fish as well as other aquatic animals have become an important source of protein diets. Heavy metals due to their specific physical and chemical characteristics as well as their side effects on various ecosystems are considered as a major contaminator of marine environments. Therefore determine determination of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) intensity in Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio fishes of Caspian sea. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, levels of Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Manganese were evaluated, using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (A.S.S) technique, in tissues of two commonly consumed fish in Iran, namely Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio, collected from the southern coastline of the Caspian sea. Results: The mean±SD average concentration of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn were detected as (μg g-1) dry weight of Rutilus frisii kutum’s tissues were 29.97±0.57, 9.45±0.09, 0.30±0.01 and 0.20±0.01, respectively. These values for Cyprinus carpio were detected as: 30.20±0.14, 9.14±0.07, 1.08±0.03 and 0.71±0.02, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that, the concentration of Zn, Cu and Co in Rutilus frisii kutum, Cyprinus carpio fish tissues were higher than standard base of Brian.

---

Background and Objective: Nowadays the food contamination is increased and threating human health. This study was done to determine the concentration of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in tomatoes and cucumber in Northern Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 48 cucumber and 48 tomatoes samples were collected randomly from the two sampling stations of Gorgan and Gonbad the two cities in Golestan province of northern Iran during spring and summer of 2012. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were determined by voltammetry method of 797 Polarography models. Results: Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gonbad was 53.4±7.7, 0.09±0.013, 1.47±0.21 and 4.1±0.66 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gorgan was 60.3±8.7, 0.12±0.017, 1.4±0.2 and 3.7±0.53 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomatoes in Gonbad was 17.9±2.6, 0.03±0.004, 0.5±0.07 and 0.85±0.12 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomato in Gorgan was 23.8±3.4, 0.08±0.01, 0.66±0.09 and 1.7±0.24 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomatoes samples of Gonbad was up to 2, 14, 0.6 and 5 times and mean concentrations of that in cucumber and tomatoes of Gorgan was up to 2.4, 14.4, 1.6 and 7 times exceed the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO. Conclusion: Mean concentration of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomato samples was exceeded the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO and mean concentration of heavy metals in cucumber was more than tomato samples.

---

Background and Objective: Malnutrition is considered as one of most serious disorder in childhood. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and its relation to serum level of Magnesium, Zinc, Iron and Calcium in 6-36 months hospitalized children. Methods: In this case-control study upon CDC chart, 166 children were in control group diagnosed with no malnutrition and 151 children were also in case group with malnutrition. BMI and serum level of Magnesium, Zinc, Iron and Calcium were measeared for each child. Results: Out of 151 children with malnutrition, 128 (84.76%) and 23 (15.23%) were involved in mild and moderate malnutrition, respectively. The serum level of Magnesium and Zinc in case group was non-significantly lower than controls, while the serum level of Calcium and Iron non-significantly higher than controls. BMI was significantly reduced in cases in compared to controls and this reduction was related with malnutrition (95% CI: 0.38-0.59, OR=0.47, P<0.05). Conclusion: Malnutrition in 6-36 month children was not related to serum level of Zinc, Magnesium, Iron and Calcium, while children with malnutrition had lower body mass index.

---

Background and Objective: Diabetic mellitus nephropathy is one of the most important implication factors in kidney´s physiological function in diabetes mellitus. Having major role in filtration, in hyperglycemic condition kidney has shown more damages in comparison with other tissues. This study was done to determine the effect of combined Atorvastatin and Zinc oxide on the biochemical and histopathological alterations in kidney of diabetic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups including normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic rats treated with atorvastatin (20mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+A), Zinc oxide (30mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+Z) and combination of each drug in half dose (daily, orally) (D+A+Z). Diabetes induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg/bw streptozotocin-diabetic.Animals treated for one month. At the end of the study, kidney weight and body weight and biochemical factors including creatinine and urea were measured to assess renal function. For determing the histopathology of kidney tissue, sections with 4-5 micrometer were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: The level of serum creatinine and urea was significantly increased in diabetic rats in compare to controls (P<0.05). Treatment of diabetic rats with half doses of combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide reduced the level of creatinine, urea and renal tissue damage in comparision with diabetic rats without treatment (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide has effect on controlling diabetic nephropathy.

---

Background and Objective: The emergence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria resistant to antibiotics is a crisis worldwide. In this study, the antibacterial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles was evaluated on standard and food isolated strains of Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus cereus.
Methods: This descriptive laboratory study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared on zeolite materials, and zinc level was determined using XRF. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZnO nanoparticles were determined using disc diffusion method.
Results: MIC value for all tested bacteria was 4 mg/ml and MBC values of standard and isolated strains of Salmonella enteritidis were 16 and 8 mg/ml, respectively, and for standard and isolated strains of Bacillus cereus was calculated in the range of 16 mg/ml.
Conclusion: Zinc oxide nanoparticles can inhibit Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus cereus strains and may have a potential for its replacement with current preservatives to prevent food spoilage in industry.