Zinc, T-cell pathways, aging: role of metallothioneins.

Zinc is an essential trace element for many biological functions, including immune functions. Indeed zinc is required for the biological activity of a thymic hormone, called thymulin in its zinc-bound form, important for the maturation and differentiation of T-cells. With advancing age zinc, thymic functions and peripheral immune efficiency show a progressive decline.

Zinc and metallothioneins on cellular immune effectiveness during liver regeneration in young and old mice.

Partial hepatectomy in young mice (pHx) induces thymic atrophy, disregulation of thymocytes subsets and a strong accumulation of zinc in thymic tissue after 1-2 days of liver regeneration. Zinc is relevant for good immune functioning. Restoration of zinc into both the thymus and thymocytes subsets in the late period of liver regeneration is observed in young pHx mice.

Chorea due to hyperthyroidism in old age. A case report.

The authors discuss the case of an elderly female patient with thyrotoxicosis and chorea. T3 and T4 serum values were high. Since the chorea disappeared with euthyroidism but reappeared whenever there was a further increase in T3 and T4, its relationship on hyperthyroidism and its reversibility are clearly demonstrated.