Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport that results in accumulation of copper primarily in the liver, the brain and the cornea. WD is the most common inherited liver disease with the prevalence of 1: 37,000 in the pediatric population in Korea. Mutations in the ATP7B gene cause failure of copper excretion into the bile and a defective incorporation of copper into ceruloplasmin. More than 300 mutations in the ATP7B gene have been described so far. Mutations differ between ethnic groups. The p.R778L (an allele frequency of 37%), p.A874V (13%), p.L1083F (8%) and p.N1270S (6%) are the common major mutations in Korea. Conflicting results on genotype/phenotype correlations of the most common mutations have been reported in various countries. There seems to be no correlation between the R778L mutation and age of onset or clinical manifestations in Korean patients. None of the laboratory parameters alone allows a definite diagnosis of WD. In a nation-wide survey of WD, low serum ceruloplasmin (<20 mg/dL), high 24 hour urine copper (>100 microgram), high hepatic copper content (>250 microgram/g of dry liver) and Kayser-Fleischer rings were found in 96%, 86%, 88%, and 73% of the 550 Korean patients respectively. A combination of any two of the above 4 laboratory findings is strong support for a diagnosis of WD. For the last couple of years, genetic testing has been playing an increasingly important role in diagnosing WD. Direct DNA sequencing did confirm WD in 98% of the Korean patients. Two mutations were detected in 70% and one mutation in 28% of the patients who showed characteristic biochemical and clinical findings of WD. Genetic testing, either by haplotype analysis or by mutation analysis, is the only reliable tool for differentiating heterozygote carriers from affected asymptomatic patients. The agents of the first choice among chelators and zinc in specific clinical situations of WD is still a matter of debate. Because of frequent side effects and initial neurologic deterioration of penicillamine therapy, less toxic trientine or zinc has gradually replaced penicillamine over the past few years. Trientine or tetrathiomolybdate has been increasingly recommended as the first-line treatment for neurologic WD. Currently, liver transplantation is not recommended as primary treatment for neurologic WD. Recently published data show that initial zinc therapy for asymptomatic/presymptomatic patients and maintenance zinc therapy in patients after long term chelation are safe and effective. Further researches and the new guidelines on the proper management of patients with WD are needed.
Adenosine Triphosphatases/*genetics ; Cation Transport Proteins/*genetics ; Copper/*metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Genetic Screening ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration/*diagnosis/*drug therapy/genetics ; Humans ; Liver/*metabolism ; *Mutation ; Penicillamine/administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Triethylenetetramine/administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Zinc/administration & dosage/therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEWilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of copper in the liver and later in the brain and other organs. Penicillamine acts as a reductive chelator. Zinc salts induce the synthesis of metallothionein in cells. Thus these two drugs are theoretically synergistic for the treatment of the disease. However, the two drugs may also have some unfavorable interactions. In this study, the effect of the therapy with combined penicillamine and zinc salts was evaluated based on the follow-up observations of 21 patients with Wilson's disease.

METHODSUsing the combined therapy of penicillamine [10-30 mg/(kg.d)] and zinc (22.5 mg, 3 times per day), follow-up study by hospitalization or communication with telephone or mail.

RESULTSBefore treatment, all the 21 patients were suffered from chronic liver disorder. Among them, 13 patients (62%) showed to be reactive to the treatment for their liver disorder, 5 patients (24%) died, and 3 patients (14%) dropped off our follow-up study. Among the 5 patients who died, 3 died within 40 days after treatment, one had taken penicillamine only 8 mg/(kg.d), and one died after discontinuation of the treatment by the parents. Of the 12 patients having neurological involvement, neurological symptoms disappeared or markedly improved in 11 patients after treatment. One patient dropped off the follow-up study. The patient with renal tubular acidosis responded well to the treatment. Urine routine analysis was followed up in 6 of the 7 patients with hematuria. Hematuria disappeared in one, became less severe in 1, and remained unchanged in 4 patients. Hypersensitivity to penicillamine was found in one patient. WBC and platelet were found decreased further in 3 patients after the medications.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined therapy with penicillamine and zinc salts was effective in treatment of patients with Wilson's disease.

Adolescent ; Antidotes ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Penicillamine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Zinc ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Penicillamine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Zinc Sulfate ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

Acute mercury inhalation poisoning is a rare cause of acute lung injury. It is usually fatal because of progressive pulmonary failure. We experienced a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after illicit use of mercury vapor for hemorrhoid treatment; he developed acute chemical pneumonitis following exposure to mercury vapor. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids and penicillamine for acute chemical pneumonitis was instituted; radiologic pulmonary infiltrates disappeared within a week, but late phase neurologic sequelae and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis progressed.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage ; Aged ; Antidotes/administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Human ; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning/diagnosis ; Mercury Poisoning/complications* ; Penicillamine/administration & dosage ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/drug therapy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/chemically induced* ; Substances:Penicillamine ; Substances: Antidotes ; Substances: Adrenal Cortex Hormones

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of chelation treatment with penicillamine (PCA) in cross combination with sodium 2, 3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonate (DMPS) repeatedly in patients with Wilson's disease (WD). Thirty-five patients with WD were enrolled. They were administrated intravenous DMPS in cross combination with oral PCA alternately which was practiced repeatedly, all with Zinc in the meantime. During the treatment, clinical observations and 24-h urine copper excretion as well as adverse effects of medicines were recorded and analyzed. Although the incidence of adverse effects was not significantly different after either intravenous DMPS or oral PCA treatment, levels of 24-h urine copper tended to be higher after short-term intravenous DMPS than that of oral PCA. Adverse effects in the course of intravenous DMPS were mainly neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, allergic reaction and bleeding tendency. As compared with oral PCA alone or intravenous DMPS alone, such repeated cross combination treatment could as much as possible avoid continued drug adverse effects or poor curative effect and had less chance to stop treatment in WD patients. Improved or recovered liver function in 71% of the patients, alleviated neurologic symptoms in 50% of the patients, and disappeared hematuria in 70% of the patients could be observed during the follow-up period of 6 months to 5 years after such combined chelation regimen. Chelation treatment repeatedly with oral penicillamine in cross combination with intravenous DMPS alternately could be more beneficial for WD patients to relieve symptoms, avoid continued drug adverse effects and maintain lifelong therapy.
Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Chelating Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chelation Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Child ; Copper ; urine ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Penicillamine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Unithiol ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use