65Zinc absorption in untreated and D-penicillamine-treated patients with generalized scleroderma: determination by whole-body counting technique.

65Zinc absorption in patients suffering from generalized scleroderma was studied by means of whole-body counting technique following a single dose of 65Zn. In 4 untreated patients the mean 65Zn absorption was calculated to 35% (range 20-59%). Five patients receiving oral D-penicillamine had a numerically higher mean absorption value of 55% (range 37-74%). The results corroborate earlier studies on the effect of D-penicillamine on 65Zn absorption in rats.