Decreased trace element contents in chromatin of patients with pemphigus

Three trace elements, manganese, copper and zinc, selected as normal constituents were measured in the chromatin fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from four pemphigous patients and compared with values form 4 matching control cases treated with corticosteroid. Manganese and copper were decreased in pemphigous patients significantly against controls whereas zinc was decreased slightly without statistical significance. Decreased trace element levels in chromatin revealed an unique pattern characteristic only for pemphigus as compared with earlier data of this group and of others in different pathological states. Decrease in chromatin zinc content might reflect the fact of corticosteroid treatment rather than a pathognomic feature which has to be taken into consideration while working with samples from patients on long-term steroid therapy. The theory of trace element depletion in pemphigus is confronted with known reports of penicillamine--a chelating agent--induced cases of the disease.