Wilson Protein and Sweat Production in Wilson Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Mark Schaefer, Mavi Schellenberg, Uta Merle, Karl Heinz Weiss, Wolfgang Stremmel
Primary Institution: Department of Gastroenterology and Infections Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School
Hypothesis
Does the Wilson protein play a role in copper excretion into sweat?
Conclusion
Wilson patients show a reduced sweat production with unaltered sweat copper concentration.
Supporting Evidence
- The Wilson protein is expressed in human and rat sweat gland epithelia.
- Copper concentration in sweat is not significantly different between controls and Wilson patients.
- Wilson patients produce significantly smaller volumes of sweat compared to controls.
- Sweat production is partially reversible in Wilson patients under medical treatment or after liver transplantation.
Takeaway
People with Wilson disease don't sweat as much as healthy people, but the amount of copper in their sweat is about the same.
Methodology
Immunofluorescent analysis and pilocarpin-induced sweat gland stimulation were used to analyze sweat volume and copper concentration in 28 Wilson patients and 21 controls.
Limitations
The study could only measure copper concentration and sweat volume, and did not analyze potential influences of factors like age or skin conditions.
Participant Demographics
28 Wilson patients (8 male, 20 female) and 21 controls (11 male, 10 female), average age 32 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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