[Studies on the glucocorticoid control of zinc metabolism]

In the present paper a possible connection between ACTH stress, cortisol release and serum zinc level is studied. It could be shown that under ACTH stress the reaction of cortisol release is physiological, whereas the zinc level in serum decreases significantly. These reactions recur under insulin stress in a weaker form. On the basis of these results a possible connection between stress situations and hypozincemia was discussed. At the same time a possible misinterpretation with regard to a general zinc deficiency under the condition of a reduced serum zinc level in stress situations is pointed out. In accordance with other authors it can, however, be said that the zinc metabolism probably depends on glucocorticoidal controls.