[Zinc distribution disorder in psoriasis (author's transl)].

In 64 patients with psoriasis and in 54 persons without any skin disease the amount of zinc was estimated in plasma and in the erythrocytes using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The findings showed an elevated plasma level and a lower zinc content of blood erythrocytes in psoriasis. Both values were statistically significant. No relation was found between these changes and the percentage skin surface covered by psoriatic lesions. The disturbed distribution of zinc in psoriasis may be due to disturbances if histidine metabolism or to changes of the permeability of the cell membranes associated with this skin disease.