Abstract
Concentrations of selenium (Se), boron (B), and germanium (Ge) were determined in scalp hair of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), in healthy children in KBD-disease endemic areas, and in healthy children in non-KBD areas. Mean Se, B, and Ge concentrations were low in children with KBD; in hair of healthy children in KBD areas, Se levels were normal but B and Ge levels were lower than in KBD-free areas. The hair levels of B and Ge were unaffected by selenium supplementation. It is suggested that B and Ge deficiency may be contributing factors in the etiology of KBD.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Guo Xiong, Zhang Shiyuan, and Mo Dongxu, A role of low selenium on the occurrence of Kashin-Beck disease. Chinese Journal of Controlling Endemic Diseases 8(2), 82–84 (1999).
Guo Xiong, Aigner Thomas, Lammi Pirkko, et al., A study of abnormal chondrocyte differentiation and abnormal expression of collagen types in articular cartilage from patients with Kaschin-Beck disease. Chinese Journal of Pathology 27(1), 19–21 (1998).
M. Benderdour, K. Hess, M. D. Gadet, B. Dousset, P. Nabet., and F. Bellville, Effect of boric acid solution on cartilage metabolism. Biochim. Biophys. Res. Commun. 234(1), 263–268 (1997).
C. D. Hunt, J. L. Herbel, and J. P. Idso, Dietary boron modifies the effects of vitamin D3 nutrition on indices of energy subtract utilization and mineral metabolism in the chick, J. Bone Miner. Res. 9(2), 171–182 (1994).
R. E. Newnham, Essentiality of boron for healthy bones and joints. Environ. Health Perspect. 102(7), 83–85 (1994).
Zhang Shugong, Biological effect of germanium mixture and the research on Germanium drugs, in The 3rd National Proceedings on Germanium in China, pp. 19–21 (1995).
Li Hecheng and Song Xiangfang, Experimental therapeutic effect of Germanium-132 on osteoporosis, in The 3rd National Proceedings on Germanium in China, pp. 61–68 (1995).
Han Chun, Li Guangyuan, and Cao Shuguang. Assay of GSHpx, TBA, FFA in blood of children in Kashin-Beck disease. Chinese Journal of Controlling Endemic Diseases 2(2), 65–68 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peng, X., Lingxia, Z., Schrauzer, G.N. et al. Selenium, boron, and germanium deficiency in the etiology of Kashin-Beck disease. Biol Trace Elem Res 77, 193–197 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:77:3:193
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:77:3:193