The role of essential and non-essential elements in mal de meleda

Abstract

Mal de Meleda (MDM) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited palmoplantar keratoderma. In 1826 Stulli described the disease on the Dalmatian island of Meleda. Hyperkeratosis involves other parts of the body such as elbows and knees, in addition to the palms and soles. Zinc deficiency is known to cause hyperkeratozis in addition to other skin changes. We studied the levels of essential and nonessential elements in blood and tissues /nail, hair, skin/ in MDM patients and healthy controls living in Köprüçay area, Turkey. The results show no significant difference in blood zinc, iron, copper, cadmium, and lead levels between MDM patients and healthy controls. The zinc and copper levels of nail and hair in MDM patients did not differ from those of healthy controls. © 2007, by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. All rights reserved.