A selenium (Se) deficiency zone was identified in China. The Se content of the top soil in this zone was 0.08-1.12 ppm, while outside this zone was 0.18-0.32 ppm.

Keshan disease (KD), an endemic cardiomyopathy was reported from 309 counties located in the Se poor zone. Se contents of staple cereals were 0.005 to 0.018 ppm in the endemic areas, but were 0.024-0.087 ppm in non-endemic areas. The blood Se level and the GSH px activities of endemic population were lower than that of the non-endemic populations. Oral supplementation of sodium selenite 1-2mg/week reduced the prevalence of KD in heavily affected areas.

Kaschin-Beck diseases (KBD), an endemic osteoarthropathy characterized by degeneration and necrosis of the epiphyseal cartilage, was also found in the Se poor zone in China. Epidemiological and clinical stu- dies indicated close correlation between Se deficiency and prevalence of KBD.

Selenosis was observed in limited district in central China. Clinical signs of chronic Se intoxication were seen in inhabitants with an average intake of 13 38 ug Se per day. The Se contents in blood, hair, nails and urine were well in association with their Se intakes.

The distribution of selenium (Se) varies widely in soils in China. The epidemiological characteristics of Se deficiency and excess have been extensively investigated in connection with relevant disorders of humans namely Keshan disease, Kaschin-Beck disease and endemic intoxication.

Vitamin E concentration in umbilical cord plasma, maternal plasma, placenta and vernix caseosa were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. β-, and δ-tocopherol were not detected in cord plasma, placenta, and vernix caseosa.α-tocopherol concentration ( mean±SE) was 21.56±2.5lμg/mlin maternal plasma, 2.22±0.73 μg/ ml in cord plasma, 3. 36±0.74μg/g in placenta, and 12.78±2.76 μg/ g in vernix caseosa. γ-tocopherol concentration was 3 .13±0.39 μg/ ml in maternal plasma, 1.78±0.16μg/ml in cord plasma, 0.30±0.06 μg/g in placenta, and 0.87±0.11μg/g in vernix caseosa. β-tocopherol concentration and δ-tocopherol concentration in maternal plasma were 0.28±0.05 and 0.26±0.03 respectively.α-Tocopherol/total lipids ratio in maternal plasma was significantly higher than that in cord plasma (p<0.01). γ-Tocopherol / α-tocopherol ratio in maternal plasma was significantly lower than that in cord plasma ( p<0.01) . There was a tendency thatιtocopherol concentration in cord plasma was high in the cases with high α-tocopherol concentration in vernix caseosa.

The results indicate that the transport mechanism of γ-tocopherol via placenta is different from that of α-tocopherol.It was suggested that vernix caseosa played some role in α-tocopherol supplement to fetus.

The investigation of vitamin K analogues (VKs) in animal body is difficult because of its low concentration. Recently we found that rat testis contains considerable high concentration of VKs. There are consisted with small quantity of phylloquinone (K₁) , menaquinone (MK) -6 and large quantity of MK-4 (20.70±5.05ng/g) . In this study, the chronological changes in the amount of VKs in the testes of rats by oral administeration of K₁ or MK-4 (1×10^-5mol/kg body weight) were measured. In K₁ administered group, the amount of K₁ increased at first, followed by K₁ decrease and MK-4 increase. In MK-4 administered group, the amount of K₁ does not change, keeping the same small amount as the controul group, but only the MK-4 amount increased. These results indicate that K₁ is rapidly changed to MK-4, so that MK-4 may be the biological from in the body.

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between liver and plasma vitamin A concentrations in cattle and rats. Liver and plasma samples were collected 100 heads of cattle at a slaughter house and from 150 heads of Wister strain rats. Vitamin A contents were analysed by reverse phase HPLC. Plasma vitamin A concentrations increased and reached the maximum values of about 40μg/100ml as liver vitamin A contents increased to 20μg/g in cattle and rats. When plasma vitamin A concentrations were less than 40μg/100ml, the ralationship between plasma vitamin A concentrations and log of liver vitamin A contents was a significant highly correlation coefficient in both animal species. These result indicated that it was possible to use a simple linear regression equation for predicting liver vitamin A contents from plasma vitamin A concentrations, when plasma vitamin A was less than 40.0μg/100ml.

Recently, farmers are likely to feed low vitamin A diets to beef cattle in Japan, because of the improvement of carcass quality. However, the relationship between vitamin A status and fat accumulation in animal is unknown. The study was conducted to elucidate the effect of vitamin A deciciency on growth and fat accumulation in rats.

109 female rats of Wistar strain (4 weeks of age) were utilized in this study. The influence of initiation stage and period of vitamin A decicient diet feeding was investigated on animal growth and fat deposition in two experiments. The results obtained were as follows.

(1) When rats were fed vitamin A deficient diet during 20 weeks after the feeding of vitamin A adequate diet up to 10 weeks of age, vitamin A content of liver decreased from 20~44μg/g to less than 1μg/g.

(2) Growth response of rats given vitamin A deficient diet, however, was not different from control.

( 3) When rats were further fed vitamin A deficient diet for 20 weeks, serum vitamin A levels decreased from 15~22μg/100ml to less than 3μg/100ml.

( 4) During the 20 weeks, i.e. from 30 to 50 weeks of age, body weight and various organ weights per body weight did not gain in vitamin A deficient rats, resulting in the reduction of visceral and abdominal fat weights as compared with those of control. On the other hand, fat content in longissimus dorsi was not different between vitamin A deficient group and control group.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant in the human. To determine whether caffeine has an effect on in vivo brain neurotransmitters, we measured the extracellular concentrations of acetylcholine ( A Ch) and monoamines using microdialysis system. Administration of caffeine (30-100mg/kg) increased the extracellular concentration of ACh in rat striatum. Chronic administration of caffeine (for a period of 14 days in dose of 50 or 100mg/kg ; i. p.) decreased the concentration of ACh to less than normal rat under usual condirions, and then, β_max value of ACh receptors increased. Administration of caffeine also changed the extracellular concentration of monoamines. DA de- creased and other metabolites (DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA) increased. These results suggest that caffeine has an influence on in vivo brain neurotransmitters.

Rooibos tea which is a kind of herbal tea, is originated in South Africa. To clarify the effect of this tea on neurotransmitter metabolism, we carried out this experiment. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are important substances for functions of central nervous system. Extracellular content of neurotransmitters can be measured using brain microdialysis in freely-moving animals. DOPAC and HVA which are main metabolites of dopamine were changed with age. These metabolites of dopamine (DOPAC, HVA) and serotonin (5HIAA) were significantly changed with the injection (i.p) of the tea extract (0.1ml/100g body weight). From these results, it is suggested that the extract of Rooibos tea contains the sub- stances which affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters.

This study was examined the effect of exercise on sulfur amino acid metabolism in rat. Young male rats were fed on diets containing two different level of sulfur amino acids, and took exercise by treadmill runnmg every day for 4 weeks. The running speed was 26.7m / min for 1 hour.

The body weight gain of exercise groups were lower than those of control groups. The citrate synthese activity of soleus muscle in exercise groups were higher than those of control groups. Nitrogen balance of exercise groups during the first two weeks were lower than those of control groups, however, the values of exercise groups during latter two weeks showed almost similar those of controls. Urinary taurine excretion of exercise groups were lower than those of control groups in all period.

From these results, the effect of exercise on sulfur amino acid metabolism was recognized.

The sensory and chemical analysis of plaice muscle stored in ice was conducted in relation to the depressing ability of platelet aggregation. Sensory analysis revealed that there was no significant change in all profiles during 17 hrs. However, measurable decline in hardness, appearance and allover acceptability was recognized at 6th day but not found in umami, sweetness, sourness and thickness. ATP was present 9.45 μmol/g at initial storage time, but fell rapidly within 17 hrs. While, IMP which was little at 0 time, atained a maximum of 9.0 μmol/g during 17 hrs and kept its level well thereafter. The platelet aggregation was depressed only by the extract at 0 time of the storage, suggesting the perticipation of ATP in depressing platelet aggregation.

Ohta et al. reported that oyster (Crassostrea gigas) extract (O.E) inhibited the platelet aggregation in alloxan diabetic rats and this action was caused by the nucleic acid-related substances (N.A.). Furthermore, influence of some mimerals on the platelet aggregation was also reported that Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg) inhibited the platelet aggregation, but Calcium (Ca) accelerated. In this study, the changes of the platelet aggregation, the nucleotides in whole blood and the minerals in serum have been investigated in O.E. administered diabetes mellitus (D.M.) patients.

4 tablets of O.E. (containing 270 mg O.E. powder/1 tablet) were orally administered to subjects every day for 7 months. Zn, Mg, Ca in serum, N.A. in whole blood and platelet aggregation were determined in healthy adults (n = 7), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (n = 4)and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (n = 4). Platelet aggregation of 8 subjects among 15 subjects was improved after continuous administration of O.E. for 1 month. In this period, the significant increase of AMP ratio [i.e. AMP/(AMP+ADP+ATP+Adenosine)]was observed in all subjects. However, ADP ratio [i.e. ADP/(AMP+ADP+ATP+Adenosine)]was significantly decerased in healthy subjects. In D.M. patients, ADP ratio tended to be decreased. About the serum minerals, serum Mg and Zn were decreased but Ca level was not changed m experimental period. In IDDM group, serum Zn was remarkably decreased compared with other groups. Effect of nucleotides on rat platelet aggregation was reported previously, but these findings suggested that some of nucleotides were related to the suppressive effect on human platelet aggregation. And oyster extract tablets might be available for the improvement of diabetes mellitus.

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) contains much amount of Zinc, Taurine. Glycogen and Nucleic acid and it is also used as the material of diet. Ohta et al. reported that the administration of oyster extract depressed the platelet aggregation and improved the blood glucose level in alloxan diabetic rats, and also de- pressed the human platelet aggregation in vitro.

Now it was reported about the influence of continuous administration of oyster extract tablets on the biochemical score of blood in Diabetes Mellitus patients. All the patients were grouped into three types, IDDM, NIDDM and Normal. And tablets of oyster extract were administered orally to each group for 7 months. Blood test was carried out once a month. Subjective symptom for patients condition and constipation were improved. On the otherhand, GOT, GPT and γ-GTP levels were improved in DM groups. And HbA₁ score and blood glucose were improved in two DM patients. We conclude that the intake of oyster extract tablets might be available for the improvement of diabetes mellitus.

It has been found that Chlorella-extract feeding in ayu improved physiological condition such as lipid metabolism, resistance to stress and disease, etc. The study determined the effect on liver and pancreas functions.

Control group was fed with the commercial diet supplemented with 4% feed oil for ca. 90 days. For the diet of experimental group, Chlorella-extract was supplemented to the above diet. Liver function was examined by anaesthesia recovery test with 2-phenoxyethanol and tertiary-amyl alcohol. Improved liver function was defined by reduced recovery time from anaesthesia, as the anaesthetic alcohols would be metabolized in the liver. The results that reduced recovery time by the Chlorella-extract implied improvement of liver function. The effect on pancreas function was determined by glucose tolerance test. Restoration of blood sugar to normal level after glucose loading and rise of insulin in response to blood sugar were soon in the Chlorella-extract fed group.

In a series of studies on oyster glycogen, we elucidated its detailed structural features. In the nutritional view, the present investigation has been concerned with the enzymic degradation of the highly branched glycogen in the digestive tracts, compared with the case of starch.

The purified glycogen and amylopectin (waxy maze starch) were degraded by salivary α-amylase (human: crystallized), giving α-amylolysis limit, 48.3% and 57.8%, respectively.

The maltosaccharides produced by the amylase action were fractionated by HPAEC (Dionex), and each branched oligosaccharide collected from the column was characterized by analysis of the saccharides released by action with α-glucosidase, isomaltase or pullulanase. In this way, the following branched oligo saccharides were identified: 6³-α-glucosyl-maltotriose and -maltotetraose, 6³-α-maltosyl-maltotrioseand maltotetraose, 6³-α-maltotriosyl-maltotrioseand -maltotetraose, in addition to several unidentified branched maltosaccharides. These branched dextrins, compared with those in amylopectin. supporting multi ply branched structure of the glycogen.

Following the salivary amylolysis, glycogen was further degraded by pancreatic α-amylase (hog: crystallized), and finally by rat intestinal glucosidases (acetone powder; Sigma Co.), and on each step the released oligosaccharides were analyzed by HP AEC. The results showed that by successive actions with salivary and pancreatic amylase the oyster glycogen was gradually hydrolyzed to give mainly maltose and branched α-limit dextrins. Although these oligosaccharides were finally hydrolyzed to glucose by intestinal α-glucosidases (hydrolysis, 86% as glucose), small amounts of multiply branched oligosaccharides might still remain as the glucosidase-resistant forms.

There are many studies about TDM in LiCO₃.

We also studied about the contents of minerals in Oyster Extract administered rats and found that the contents of Lithium(Li) and Nickel(Ni) in brain increased.

And also the brain serotonin (5-HT) metabolism was accelerated in LiCO₃ or oyster administered rats.

On the other hand, we have found that the serum zinc in Parkinson’s disease patients increased compared with healthy samples in 1989 and 1991. (many authors have reported the dopamine contents decreased in Parkinson’s disease patients.)

In this report, we have gotten the following results.

1. Zn²⁺ inhibits the activity of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase(AADC).

2. 5-HT and dopamine content of brain decreases in continuous Zn²⁺ administered rats.

3. But when oyster(which contains much amount of Zn²⁺) administered to rats, 5-HT formation did not change or slightly increased.

A field survey was carried out in Korea to asses the mineral composition of rice straw, which is a common feedstuff for cattle and goat in Korea, and to compare with rice straw in other Asian countries.

According to NRC tables, Korean rice straw provided adequate amounts of Mg, Ca, K, S, Mo, Mn and Zn. Phosphorus, Na, Cu and Se were deficient in 93, 70, 67 and 33% of samples, respectively. On the other hand, high amount of Fe in rice straw may impair Cu absorption by livestocks.

Fifty-nine Holstein dairy cows were used to clarify the effect of hot environmental temperature and lactation number on mineral contents in colostrum. Calcium, P, Mg, K and Mn contents in colostrum of 9 cows calved in summer (Mean temperatures before parturition: 24.2-27.2°C) were significantly lower than those of 12 cows calved in winter (Mean temperatures before parturition: 5.1-7.9°C), but Na contents of cows calved in summer were higher. Calcium, P, Mg and Mn contents in colostrum just after par turition were highest at primiparous cows and decreased with the increasing lactation number. However, Fe, Zn and Cu contents in colostrum were not affected by hot temperatures and lactation number. Also, Fe, Cu and Mn contents in colostrum were extremely lower than the requirements for newborn calves, although colostrum contained sufficient amounts of Ca, P, Mg and Zn for newborn calves.

In two experiments (Exp.I and 2), the 5-day balance study for selenium were carried out in 14 healthy female subjects aged 20-21 years. Experimental diets were composed of ordinary foods and were typical of Japanese usual dietary habits. Almost the same menu was used in each experiment during the 7 experimental days. Bread in the diet in Exp.I was substituted for rice in the diet in Exp.2. The results obtained were as follows.

1. The selenium intakes in Exp.I and Exp.2 were 105.7±8.7μ g/day and 42.2±1.1μ g/day, respectively.

2. Retention was highly positive in Exp.I (41.7±9.8μg/day), but negative (-8.9±6.1μg/day) in Exp.2.

3. Regression of selenium balance versus intake indicated that these subjects needed 53.3μg Se/day to stay in balance.

TY supplied a large extra minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, & Cu) than VFC except Se. Se and GSHPx activity were lower in TY-fed rats than VFC-fed rats and in -Se rats than +Se rats. Fe was higher in liver and muscle of VFC-fed rats and in plasma, heart, liver, and tibia of TY-fed rats fed -Se diet compared to the rats fed +Se diet, respectively. Compared to +Se rats, decreases of Mn concentration appeared in plasma, heart, and tibia of VFC-fed -Se rats and in brain, heart, liver and tibia of TY-fed -Se rats, respectively.

The results indicated that Se deficiency induced minerals imbalance in rat especially increase in Fe and decrease in Mn which was more severe in TY-fed rats than VFC-fed rats. TY can not be used to make a model for both Se and one of other minerals, e.g. Mg, deficiency because of the extra minerals except Se.

We investigated catalytic activity of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase on selenocysteine-containing peptides, and compaired with that on their cysteine analogues. Activity of the two types of the enzyme, one was from bovine kidney and the other was from E. coli, were assayed with γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide or L- and D-glutamine as γ-glutamyl donors and L-Se-benzy-selenocysteinyl-glycinemethylester or L-S-benzyl-cysteinyl-glycine methylester as γ-glutamyl accepters. The results obtained from the investigation of γ-glutamyltransferase activity was applied to the synthesis of glutaselenone derivatives.

Some biochemical indices for selenium (Se) deficiency, involving hepatic Se content and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, serum thyroid hormone levels and urinary ketone body excretion, were measured in rats on a low Se status. Male weaning rats were fed a casein-based low Se diet (Se content: 27ng/g) or the basal diet supplemented with sodium selenite (0.2 μg Se/g) and/or silver acetate (250 μg Ag/g) for 6 weeks. In the case without silver loading, hepatic Se content and GSHPx activity were remarkably lowered in rats fed the basal diet than rats fed the selenite-supplemented diet. The silver loading decreased the Se content and GSHPx activity irrespesctive of dietary Se level. Significantly higher serum T₄ levels were observed in rats fed the low Se diet or rats with silver loading. Difference in serum T₃ level was not significant among the 4 dietary groups. Urinary ketone body excretion was increased in rats fed the basal low Se diet, but the silver loading decreased the ketone body excretion; silver-induced low Se status was different from dietary-induced low Se status in urinary ketone body excretion.

The effect of dietary vitamin B6 on selenium(Se) concentrations and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in tissues of rats fed various forms of Se was studied. Male 4-week-old Wistar rats were fed a vitamin B₆-Se-deficient basal diet for 3 weeks, and then the rats were divided into 10 groups. One group was fed the basal diet, the others were fed the diet supplemented with 250 μg vitamin B₆/100g as pyridoxine ・ HCl, or 0.25mg Se/kg as Na₂SeO₄, Na₂SeO₃, DL-selenomethionine, or DL-selenocystine, or Se plus vitamin B₆ for 4 weeks. Rats fed vitamin B₆-deficient diets had significantly lower body, heart, and liver weight than rats fed vitamin B₆-supplemented diets. The levels of Se and GSH-Px in RBCs, muscle, and heart were significantly lower in vitamin B₆deficient groups than in vitamin B₆-supplemented groups regardless of the chemical forms of Se. Rats fed vitamin B₆-supplemented diets had significantly higher Se contents in RBCs, muscle, and heart than rats fed vitamin B₆-deficient diets; however, a lesser extent in plasma, testes, and liver was observed. These results suggest that vitamin B₆ in involved in the transport of Se and incorporation of Se into GSHPx in tissues, and that vitamin B₆ status has different effects on Se levels in various tissues.

Previous studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that selenium (Se) deficiency for a prolonged period leads to an iron excess condition in rats; iron contents of serum and tissues including heart, liver, kidney, spleen and femur are significantly increased and serum total iron binding capacity is almost saturated in Se-deficient rats. This report is of histological studies on the location of excess iron deposit in these tissues. Male Wistar rats were fed Torula yeast-based Se-deficient or Se-adequate (0.1ppm Se as Na₂SeO₃) diet for 82 weeks. Excised tissues were embedded in either paraffin or epoxy resin. Iron deposit was stained in dark blue with Prussian blue on optical microscopic examination of liver (parenchymal cells) and kidney from Se-deficient rats. Iron deposits in kidney were located in the secondary lysosomes existing in proximal tubule by X-ray microanalysis (Kevex system 7000) in conjunction with electron microscopy (Hitachi H-700). Basing on these results, we propose that Se deficiency-induced damages to various tissues are largely, if not completely, interpreted as the consequences of iron excess; excess iron in tissues leads to peroxidation of cell membranes and oxidation of intracellular proteins, which ultimately results in tissue damages.

Sixteen female Wistar rats ages 46 days old were divided into 2 treatment groups; control group (fed 35 mg/kg iron) and high iron group (fed 1000 mg/kg iron). The rats were mated and killed on gestation day 20. There were no significant differences in maternal daily gain and tissue weight and fetal number between the treatment groups. The fetal weight of the high iron group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The high level of dietary iron significantly increased the iron concentrations in maternal tissues and fetuses. The concentrations of selenium and manganese in maternal livers and zinc m maternal femurs and the contents of selenium, manganese and zinc in fetuses were significantly decreased by the high level of dietary iron. These results indicated that the deposition of selenium, manganese and zinc in maternal tissues and the transfer of the minerals to fetuses are decreased when the concentration of iron in diet is high.

Anemia is a common blood disorder among female athletes, but the mechanism of its development is still unclear. We found selective iron deficiency anemia in a female long-distance runner during a period in which we were providing medical support for her.

We evaluated changes in her athletic performance and the background of her conditioning in relation to changes in the blood profile over the past 6 years. In this case, no evidence of hemoglobin deficiency was observed. We found a highly significant negative correlation between the running period (6 years) and iron concentrations (r=0.616, p<0.001).

Her serum iron level decreased 75 μg/ dl over a period of 6 years at a monthly rate of 1.0 μg/ dl. Progression of selective iron deficiency with relative stability of the hemoglobin level (13±0.6 g/dl) is considered to have been a cause of her poor performance in 1991.

The effect of manganese (Mn)-deficiency was examined on the growth, fertility and function of the thyroid in the first and second generations of rats. The retarded growth became more obvious in the second generation than the first generation, whereas abnormality in gait was frequently observed in the first generation but few in the second generation. Moreover, the delayed growth in the second generation was partly overcome by the addition of Mn. These results strongly indicate that the effect of Mn-deficiency is reversible.

Virginal smear test revealed that most of female rats in the Mn-deficient group kept a normal estrus cycle, and the rest also showed the cycle with minor irregularity. Therefore, a low-frequency of pregnancy is likely due to unsuccessful mating by abnormal movements.

Thyroid function was examined because of the retarded growth; the uptake of radioiodine by the gland was substantially decreased in Mn-deficient animals and hormones in the gland tended to be retainded, which caused a decrease in the peripheral thyroxine level in male rats but did not affect that in female rats, suggesting that Mn-deficiency, indeed, affects thyroid fnction but may have some sex differences.

To evaluate the effects of vanadate chronic oral-administration on rat brains, releases of acetylcholine (ACh) and metabolites of dopamine, 3, 4,-dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid (DOP AC) and homo vanillic acid (HVA), were measured by iη vivo brain microdialysis. After chronic administration, ACh release in striatum was reduced to 58.4% of controls, whereas in hippocampus it wasn’t. No change in DOP AC release was observed in chronic administered-rats but the HV A release was reduced. The metabolisms of ACh and dopamine were affected by chronic vanadate administration.

Subcutaneous injection of NaVO₃ to vitamin E-deficient hamsters contributed to increase the in vitro RBC hemolytic index probably because of depletion of anti-oxidants. In vitro, although NaVO₃ was not hemolytic, VOSO₄ at 1 mM was a hemolytic agent for vitamin E-deficient RBC in Hepes-saline buffer.

A countermeasure to treat pollution of marine environment is to exclude harmful substance(s) from the body of intoxicated organism. In the present study, we used Euglena gracilis Z as a model organism to estimate effect of pretreatment on the restoration of once impaired cells by tributyltin chloride (TBTCI) intoxication. Exposing Euglena cells to TBTCI, the cells changed their shape into cyst form, and became almost inactive in a few minutes. When TBTCl-intoxicated Euglena cell was transferred into organotin free medium, TBTCI content in the cell decreased. However, cells neither regained motility nor returned cell shape to normal. On the other hand, when the intoxicated cells were incubated in water that was prepared by loading high voltage condenser electric potential, the cells regained motility, and the shape returned to normal by excluding tin prior to regaining motility. The present preliminary study gives an interesting hint on how to exclude toxic substance from intoxicated cells and restore once intoxicated cells to health.

Zinc concentration in serum on aged person (over 80 yrs old) was significantly lower than that on young person (20 yrs old level) in both sexes. Number of red blood cell, hematocrit value and concentration of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol and Ca in serum showed significantly positive correlation- ship with zinc concentration in serum on aged person but not on young person. Number of chief complaints showed negative correlationship with zinc concentration in serum on male aged person.