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Being a micronutrient, zinc involves in numerous biochemical reactions as a principle component or catalyzing enzymes for proper propagation of enzymatic function. Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been increasingly reported to be associated with derangement of the intrinsic physiological functions including suppression of micronutrient functionality and concentration. During the COVID-19 outbreak, a relatively high dose of zinc has been prescribed by private clinics for non-infected/high-risk subjects;who include patients with MS on polytherapy. We aimed to investigate the effect of 50mg-zinc tablet administered as an add-on therapy for three months to patients with MS. According to our health care providers;MS patients undergo an annual quadruple check by measuring the routine biochemical factors (serum glucose, and lipid profile), blood pressure, and body mass indices. Data were collected before and after zinc administration and statistically analyzed in comparison to the control non-zinc user group. The results confirmed that zinc positively improved measured parameters by significantly reducing blood pressure, serum glucose, and lipid indices;together with slightly modulating body mass indices. To confirm that the quality of the zinc tablet provided by the supplier, plasma zinc concentrations were also measured before and after therapy. In conclusion, zinc supplementation could be part of the therapy for metabolic diseases and we do advise intermittent zinc use in such patients.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association between the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and plasma zinc in women with fibroadenoma. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 37 premenopausal women with fibroadenoma. Waist circumference and body mass index of the participants were measured. Plasma zinc concentrations were determined using atomic flame absorption spectrophotometry. Fragments of breast tissue were fixed and incubated with primary mouse monoclonal antibodies (monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -2 -507 and monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -9-439). Semi-quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoreactivity was performed. Spearman’s test and Friedman’s test were used for statistical analyses. The p

Background: Diabetes is global endemic rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries and is a common secondary cause of hyperlipidaemia in T2DM patients. Diabetic- dyslipidemic patients exhibit atherogenic lipid profile, which greatly increases their CVD risk. Zinc, essential trace element, has significant function in energy metabolism and has been shown to serve a regulatory role in insulin signalling pathway and in supporting structural integrity of endothelial cells. A study designed to assess the plasma zinc status in t2 dm patients and to correlate zinc levels with lipid parameters, CVD markers as well as with glycemic status. Methods: The t2dm patients in the age group 30-60 years were randomly selected and were sub-grouped age wise, glycemic status-wise and diabetic duration-wise. Fasting Glucose, lipid parameters and zinc were estimated and atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), and Cardiac Risk Ratio (CRR) were calculated. Results: The results shows levels of glucose, lipid parameters, AIP, AC and CRR are significantly elevated whereas the levels of HDLC and zinc are significantly lowered in t2dm patients and the rises as well as the fall in HDLC and zinc are proportional to glycemic status. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that zinc levels are lower in t2dm patients and is reciprocally related to glycemic status as well as to the diabetic duration. Further the rise in CVD markers is directly proportional to the glycemic status but inversely related to CVD markers. Keywords: t2dm, CVD markers, glycemic status, zinc.

Previous studies regarding the zinc status in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) yielded inconsistent results. Thus, the present meta-analysis was aimed to estimate the association between hair and serum/plasma zinc levels and ADHD. Online databases of Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched up to October 2020 with no limitation in time and language. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) of hair and serum/plasma zinc levels were calculated using a random-effects model. Overall, 22 articles with 1280 subjects with ADHD and 1200 controls were included. The pooled effect size indicated that serum/plasma zinc levels in subjects with ADHD were not statistically different than their controls (WMD = − 1.26 µmol/L; 95% CI − 3.72, 1.20). Interestingly, the exclusion of one study from the analysis showed that people with ADHD significantly have lower circulating levels of zinc compared to their controls (WMD: − 2.49 µmol/L; 95% CI − 4.29, − 0.69). Also, the pooled effect size indicated that hair zinc levels in cases with ADHD were not statistically different than their controls (WMD = − 24.19 μg/g; 95% CI − 61.80, 13.42). Present meta-analysis raises the possibility that subjects with ADHD are prone to have declined levels of zinc levels. Based on current findings, screening the zinc levels in subjects with ADHD could be reasonable. Further well-designed studies are needed to clarify the role of zinc in the etiology of ADHD.

BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is known to reduce zinc absorption; the effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and its long-term implications on zinc absorption have not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate the effects of SG and RYGBP on zinc absorption and zinc status in premenopausal women with severe obesity up to 24 mo after surgery. METHODS Twenty-six premenopausal women undergoing SG [BMI (in kg/m2): 37.3 ± 3.2] and 32 undergoing RYGBP (BMI: 42.0 ± 4.2) were studied. A series of anthropometric, dietary, and zinc status parameters (plasma and hair zinc), and the size of the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP), as well as percentage zinc absorption from a standardized dose using a stable isotope methodology were evaluated in the patients before the surgical procedure and at 12 and 24 mo after SG or RYGBP. SG patients received 15 mg and RYGBP received 25 mg of supplemental Zn/d. RESULTS In premenopausal women, zinc absorption was decreased by 71.9% and 52.0% in SG and RYGBP, respectively, 24 mo postsurgery, compared with initial values. According to 2-factor repeated-measures ANOVA, time effect was significant (P =

Plasma zinc concentrations (PZC) have been shown to significantly increase during zinc supplementation. This study investigated the effects of daily preventive zinc supplementation on hair and nail zinc concentrations compared with a control group. In a randomized controlled trial, 6- to 23-month-old children (n = 3407) in Lao PDR were randomly assigned to one of four groups and followed for ~ 36 weeks: daily preventive zinc dispersible tablet (7 mg/d; PZ), daily micronutrient powder (10 mg zinc/d; MNP), therapeutic zinc supplements for diarrhea treatment (20 mg/d for 10 days; TZ), or daily placebo powder (Control). Plasma, hair, and nail zinc concentrations were assessed in a sub-sample of participants (n = 457) at baseline and endline. At baseline, 75% of children had low PZC (P P = 0.99). Nail zinc concentrations were marginally higher in the PZ (115.8 (111.6, 119.9) μg/g) and the MNP (117.8 (113.3, 122.3) μg/g) groups than in the TZ group (110.4 (106.0, 114.8) μg/g; P = 0.055) at endline. This study does not support the use of hair zinc as a biomarker of zinc exposure in young children. However, it provides some evidence that zinc concentrations in nails may respond to supplemental zinc interventions and supports the need for collecting additional data on this emerging biomarker.

Changes in zinc metabolism caused by aging and the institutionalization process may contribute to zinc deficiency in elderly individuals. Hypozincemia results in changes in glycemic, lipid, and inflammatory profiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma zinc concentrations and their relationships with sociodemographic, dietary, inflammatory, and cardiometabolic biomarkers in institutionalized elderly individuals. A cross-sectional study was carried out including 255 elderly adults living in nursing homes. The associations between plasma zinc and dietary zinc intake, sociodemographic indicators, and glycemic, lipid, and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. Independent variables were analyzed according to quartiles of plasma zinc concentrations (Q1:71.1 μg/dL; Q2: 71.1-83.3 μg/dL; Q3:83.3-93.7 μg/dL; Q4:93.7 μg/dL). The relationship between plasma zinc concentrations and predictor variables was also tested. In Q1, higher concentrations of the following variables were observed, compared with those in other quartiles: total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c; Q1 Q2, Q3, Q4; all p0.001); triglycerides (Q1 Q3, Q4; all p 0.001); interleukin (IL)-6 (Q1 Q3, Q4; p = 0.024 and p = 0.010, respectively); tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (Q1 Q3, p = 0.003). A significant reduction in plasma zinc concentrations was observed with increasing age-adjusted institutionalization time (Δ = - 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.18 to -0.01). The concentrations of total cholesterol (Δ = - 0.19; 95% CI: -0.23 to -0.15), LDL-c (Δ = - 0.19; 95% CI: -0.23 to -0.15), triglycerides (Δ = - 0.11; 95% CI: -0.16 to -0.06), IL-6 (Δ = - 1.41; 95% CI: -2.64 to -0.18), and TNF-α (Δ = - 1.04; 95% CI: -1.71 to -0.36) were also significantly increased. In conclusion, decreased plasma zinc concentrations were associated with longer institutionalization time and worse lipid and inflammatory profiles in elderly institutionalized individuals.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of progressive hair loss in man. The search for reliable predictors of the conservative treatment&rsquo, s effectiveness is an urgent problem today. Forty-eight patients with AGA, stages I&ndash, IV by the Norwood&ndash, Hamilton scale, were treated for 4 months with 5% topical minoxidil joints with corrections for trace element and vitamin imbalances. In most cases, the positive therapy&rsquo, s effect was shown in the parietal but not in the occipital area, whereas that effect was observed in others. The attempts to associate the therapy&rsquo, s effectiveness with initially defined genetic, hormonal, and metabolic parameters showed the absence of differences between groups with positive and negative outcomes. Among the studied nutrient parameters (Zn, Cu, Mg, Ca, Fe, and Se, as well as vitamins B12, E, D, and folic acid), differences between these groups was shown in zinc content only. The starting point from a zinc plasma level above 10 &micro, mol/L likely provides the success of the subsequent conservative therapy and correlates with an increase in the hair density and diameter in the parietal area. The integral predictive value of the Zn plasma level was assessed as 72.3% (positive predictive value: &minus, 88%, and negative predictive value: &minus, 55%).

This review addresses the prevalence of zinc deficiency in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) and assesses the available strategies for its alleviation. The paucity of national-level data on the zinc deficiency in LMICs is partially a result of the lack of a reliable biomarker. Zinc deficiency appears to be a public health problem in almost all the LMICs, irrespective of the recommended indicators (plasma zinc concentration, dietary zinc adequacy and stunting prevalence) used. Based on plasma/serum zinc concentration (PZC), which is the most appropriate indicator at present, the prevalence of zinc deficiency in LMICs is of concern. Among the 25 countries for which national PZC data were available, 23 had a zinc deficiency prevalence of >20% for at least one physiological group. Zinc supplementation is largely restricted as an adjunct therapy for diarrhoea management in children, and the best platform and the most effective way of preventive zinc supplementation delivery remains to be established. Impact assessment for current zinc fortification programmes in LMICs and the effectiveness of zinc supplementation as part of a multi-micronutrient powder is to be determined. Dietary diversification, though promising for LMICs, is in the nascent stages of development at present. Inclusion of meat and animal products can be an important way of improving zinc status. Programmatic experience with the promotion of home processing techniques to increase absorbable zinc in the diet is lacking. Conventional biofortification techniques are gaining recognition in LMICs; however, transgenic biofortification as a strategy remains controversial.

The kidney is complex vital organs, and has many functions. The main function it‘s removal of toxic and excess substancesfrom the plasma, if there is any defect in the kidney like renal failure can disrupt this function. The aim of this study was to determine the level of Zinc and Copper in Sudanese patient with chronic renal failure. This study was designed as case control, which includes 100 blood samples, a 60 from these sample were collected from patient with chronic renal failure and 40 samples were collected from health individual as control group and the sample is collected by using sterile disposable syringes and separated by centrifuge. Carried out in Ribat University Hospital in Khartoum state, during period from March to June 2018. And the plasma levels of zinc and copper determined by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (OPERATOR’S MANUAL January 2003 VER 3.94 C), and the obtained results were analyzed by SPSS. The result of this study showed that there was significant decrease (p

This study aimed to determine whether there were any differences in trace element levels between adolescent boys with gynecomastia and control boys and to determine the correlations between the levels of trace elements and body mass index (BMI) and sex hormones. The pubertal gynecomastia group comprised of 41 patients (mean age=13.2 ±0.9 years), who were admitted to Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital in Ankara. Control group comprised of 21 healthy male children. Analyses of trace element levels were performed atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean zinc level of control group was 101.33±16.87μg/dL and the mean zinc level of gynecomastia group was 81.36±17,43μg/dL (20% lower in gynecomastia patients, p=0.0001). However, the mean copper and manganese levels of gynecomastia patients were not statistically different than the control group. There were significant positive correlations between plasma zinc and total testosterone levels in gynecomastia group (r=0.592; p

Background The size of the rapidly exchanging pool of body zinc has been suggested as having potential utility as a biomarker of zinc status. Knowledge of the relations of exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size to relevant variables is necessary to adequately evaluate its use as a biomarker. Objective We used regression analysis to investigate associations of EZP with age, sex, body size, and zinc nutrition variables. Methods Data were compiled from 18 isotope tracer studies of zinc absorption in 247 children and adults (248 observations) in which EZP and relevant variables (e.g., weight, age, absorbed zinc) were measured. Linear regression analyses were performed separately on data from adults and children. Results In children, EZP was most strongly associated with weight (r = 0.78). The best-fitting regression models of EZP (R2 ≥ 0.68) had weight or age and weight-for-age z score as predictors. Other variables had little effect on EZP when controlling for weight. Absorbed zinc was observed to be a predictor of EZP only in zinc intervention trials of infants. The mean EZP/wt was 4 mg/kg between 8 and 120 mo of age. In adults, EZP was observed to vary in a complex manner with (in order of importance) age, absorbed zinc, weight, sex, and plasma zinc concentration. EZP data from zinc-deprived subjects were lower than the 95% prediction interval of a model of normative data. Conclusions EZP was observed to maintain a constant size relative to weight and was influenced only slightly by other factors in children. In contrast, EZP in adults varied with several factors, including absorbed zinc, and was statistically smaller in zinc-deprived individuals. The findings suggest that EZP may have utility as an indicator of zinc status in adults, but there is less evidence for this in children. Additional data are needed to reach a definitive conclusion.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common multifactorial and complex neuro developmental disorder often persisting through adolescence and adulthood. Indications of nutritional treatments with omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, etc. are gaining importance. We therefore sought to estimate ,and compare the mineral content of zinc, magnesium, and iron in the plasma of ADHD diagnosed children with normal non-ADHD children, and establish a correlation if any with the disorder symptoms. Methods and findings: Psychiatric evaluation was performed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV and plasma elemental analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Low levels of zinc, magnesium and iron were observed in ADHD children when compared to their healthy controls. Conclusion: Children with ADHD exhibit lower concentrations of plasma zinc, magnesium, and iron as compared to normal controls which could be correlated with the disorder symptoms in ADHD.

Background Repeated blood transfusions in thalassemic chil- dren can lead to iron overload in the body. High ferritin level leads to low plasma zinc status because of their competitive inhibition. Previous study found that there was a correlation between plasma zinc level and nutritional status. Objective To obtain plasma zinc level, to investigate the correla- tion between plasma zinc and ferritin, and the impact of plasma zinc on nutritional status in children with thallasemia. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted on 67 thalas- semic children. This study was performed at Thalassemia Center, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, from 1 st until 31 st of March 2005. The age of the patients ranged from 4 to 18 years, with fer- ritin levels more than 2000 ng/ml during the last 6 months or total transfusion more than 5 liters. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, i.e. group 1 (4-10 years) and group 2 (>10-18 years). Di- etary intake was assessed by 3 day-dietary recall. The nutritional status were judged by mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) for age and height for age (H/A). Venous blood was obtained to mea- sure plasma zinc and ferritin levels. Statistical analysis was done by Student’s t-test (2-tailed) and linear regression analysis. Results We found that 42% subjects were well-nourished, 51% were undernourished, and 7% were severely malnourished. All sub- jects had low plasma zinc status 31.9 (SD 16.9) μg/dl. There was a weak negative correlation between plasma zinc and ferritin level (r = -0.282, P=0.021). Lower zinc intake was detected in 65 out of 67 subjects. Conclusion All thalassemic children in our hospital had low plasma zinc level. There was a weak negative correlation between plasma zinc level and ferritin level. There was no significant correlation between plasma zinc status and nutritional status

This study aims to determine the ability of zinc sulphate to inhibit growth of Shigella in vitro and test the hypothesis that the isolates recovered from Nigerian children with low plasma zinc concentration are more sensitive than the marginal plasma zinc isolates. The effect of zinc sulphate on extracellular protease secretion was also investigated. A total of 15 Shigella isolates recovered from the stool samples of 117 diarrheic children at various health centers in Lagos, Nigeria were tested for sensitivity to zinc sulphate in vitro by agar dilution method. Plasma zinc concentration was determined spectrophotometrically to enable stratification of the patients into two zinc arms: low (plasma zinc

There is a growing body of evidence that diabetic conditions are associated with sexual problems. Metabolism of trace elements is altered in diabetic mellitus, and they may have a specific role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. The aims of this study are to investigate the levels of zinc and magnesium in semen of patients with diabetes mellitus and to find out if there is any association between trace elements and semen parameters in these diabetic subjects. Semen samples from 25 diabetic men and 25 nondiabetic were analyzed for physical and biochemical parameters. Zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zn and Mg concentrations in seminal plasma of nondiabetic men were more elevated than in diabetic groups. Zn showed positive and significant correlations with sperm motility (p

Some zinc (Zn) research studies have used either Zn gluconate or Zn glycinate, but the two forms have not been compared much. Therefore, a moderately high dose of the two forms (60 mg Zn/day) were compared in a 6-week intervention in young adult women. Plasma Zn, the traditional assessment of Zn status, was increased in all subjects given Zn glycinate (N = 10), while no significant change was seen overall for Zn gluconate or placebo (N = 10 each). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, a marker for Zn-induced copper deficiency, was unchanged in all three groups. Thus, for the conditions of this study, Zn glycinate effectively changed Zn status better than Zn gluconate, but neither impacted copper status.

Background Smoking is a strong risk factor of metabolic syndrome. Zinc α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a protein involved in metabolic syndrome. This study aims to investigate the effect of smoking on plasma ZAG levels and its relations to metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods A group of 41 cigarette smokers and 47 non-smokers were enrolled. ZAG levels were measured to correlate to participants’ demographic and metabolic parameters. Results Plasma ZAG levels of smokers were higher than those of controls (P

In total, 15 Beetal bucks having an average age of 893.53 52.91 days weighing 50.21 1.75 kg were randomly distributed into three groups to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on faecal oocyst load under stall-fed conditions. Bucks under treatment groups were supplemented with either organic (T1) or inorganic (T2) Zn formulated ration to get Zn concentration of 50 mg per kg DM against negative control (T0) on basal diet with no additional Zn supplementation for a period of 120 days. Zn supplementation improved plasma Zn and maintained higher live body weight (kg) in T1 and T2 against the control. Bucks in T1 and T2 shed significantly (p 0.05) less oocysts in 1 g of faeces (22.8 and 24.1%, respectively) compared to the control (53.1%) without any clinical symptoms. It was therefore, concluded that supplementation of Zn can improve performance of Beetal bucks under stall-fed by reducing the subclinical coccidiosis.

Zinc homeostasis is achieved after intake variation by changes in the expression levels of zinc transporters. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary intake (by 24-h recall), absorption, plasma zinc (by absorption spectrophotometry) and the expression levels (by quantitative PCR), of the transporters ZIP1 (zinc importer) and ZnT1 (zinc exporter) in peripheral white blood cells from 24 adolescent girls before and after drinking zinc-fortified milk for 27 day. Zinc intake increased (p < 0.001) from 10.5 ± 3.9 mg/day to 17.6 ± 4.4 mg/day, and its estimated absorption from 3.1 ± 1.2 to 5.3 ± 1.3 mg/day. Mean plasma zinc concentration remained unchanged (p > 0.05) near 150 µg/dL, but increased by 31 µg/dL (p < 0.05) for 6/24 adolescents (group A) and decreased by 25 µg/dL (p < 0.05) for other 6/24 adolescents (group B). Expression of ZIP1 in blood leukocytes was reduced 1.4-fold (p < 0.006) in group A, while for the expression of ZnT1 there was no difference after intervention (p = 0.39). An increase of dietary zinc after 27-days consumption of fortified-milk did not increase (p > 0.05) the plasma level of adolescent girls but for 6/24 participants from group A in spite of the formerly appropriation, which cellular zinc uptake decreased as assessed by reduction of the expression of ZIP1.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of different short term zinc supplementation protocols has not been fully characterized. This study looked at how different doses and forms of zinc affected plasma measures of zinc status in young adult women (a group that seems somewhat prone to mild zinc deficiency). METHODS: Supplements were given for 4 weeks. Before and after this time, plasma readings were taken for total zinc, 5’-nucleotidase activities, alkaline phosphatase activities, and metallothionein levels. RESULTS: Different effects were seen for different protocols for different plasma measures. For yeast zinc, 10, 20, and 40 mg per day showed different levels of impact on the measures. For zinc oxide, 40 mg per day showed no effect on some of the measures. Increasing the dose to 80 mg per day did impact the plasma measures to some degree, but also produced complaints of GI discomfort in some subjects. Zinc glycinate at 40 mg/day altered all plasma measures taken. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, for the study conditions used here, zinc dose, zinc form, and the measure being taken, all produced variations in the results obtained. FUNDING SOURCES: Part of the research was funded by a grant from Bausch and Lomb.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diosgenin a proven antioxidant on chronic renal failure (CRF) induced abnormalities linked with oxidative stress in heart. CRF was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding the animals with 0.75% adenine-containing diet and diosgenin was given orally (everyday at the dose of 40 mg/kg). Effect of diosgenin on cardiac tissue lipids, trace elements (iron, zinc, magnesium, copper and manganese) and activity of cardiac mitochondrial enzymes were assayed. Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also assessed. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was employed to indicate the oxidative stress related molecular changes in heart tissue. The outcomes of the study indicated that, diosgenin reduces the tissue lipid abnormalities induced by CRF. Cardiac elemental concentration was not changed in all groups but the plasma zinc was altered and diosgenin have no effect on it. Cardiac mitochondrial enzymes abnormalities and proinflammatory cytokines expression was also significantly reduced by diosgenin. Finally, the molecular and structural changes of proteins were also reduced by diosgenin treatment. The overall study shows that diosgenin with antioxidant function have enough potential to improve cardiac tissue abnormalities.

BACKGROUND The WHO and UNICEF recommend therapeutic zinc supplementation (TZS) for the treatment of diarrhea. In zinc-deficient populations, preventive zinc supplementation might provide greater benefits for reducing diarrhea and malaria incidence and increasing growth and plasma zinc (pZn) concentration. If effective, intermittent preventive zinc supplementation (IPZS) would cost less than daily preventive zinc supplementation (DPZS). OBJECTIVE We assessed the effects of IPZS, DPZS, and TZS in children on the primary outcomes of diarrhea incidence, malaria incidence, growth, and pZn concentration compared with nonsupplemented control groups. METHODS Rural Burkinabe children (n = 7641; 6-30 mo old) in 36 clusters were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups for 16, 32, or 48 wk: 1) IPZS (10 mg Zn/d for 10 d every 16 wk); 2) DPZS (7 mg Zn/d); 3) TZS (20 mg Zn/d for 10 d for diarrhea); 4) morbidity surveillance control (MSC); or 5) nonintervention control (NIC). Supplemented groups remained masked until completion of primary analyses with mixed models. RESULTS At baseline, stunting (28.6%) and low pZn concentration (

Background: Zinc deficiency is prevalent in HIV and hyperglycemic patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment to control HIV progression; however it increases the risk for hyperglycemia. The objective of this study was to assess the plasma zinc levels in hyperglycemic people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted on the data from the Miami Adult Studies in HIV (MASH) cohort in Florida. Patients were categorized into hyperglycemic group (fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL) and normal group (

AimTo assess plasma zinc and copper concentration in individuals with autism and correlate these levels with symptom severity.Subjects and MethodsPlasma from 102 autistic individuals, and 18 neurotypical controls, were tested for plasma zinc and copper using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn were analyzed for possible correlation with severity of 19 symptoms.ResultsAutistic individuals had elevated plasma levels of copper and Cu/Zn and lower, but not significantly lower, plasma Zn compared to neurotypical controls. There was a correlation between Cu/Zn and expressive language, receptive language, focus attention, hyperactivity, fine motor skills, gross motor skills and Tip Toeing. There was a negative correlation between plasma zinc concentration and hyperactivity, and fine motor skills severity.DiscussionThese results suggest an association between plasma Cu/Zn and severity of symptoms associated with autism.

Recommendations for zinc intake during pregnancy and lactation vary widely across Europe. Using data on zinc intake and biomarkers of zinc status reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies can provide estimates of dose-response relationships that may be used for underpinning zinc reference values. This systematic review included all RCTs, prospective cohort studies, nested case-control studies and cross-sectional studies in healthy pregnant and lactating populations published by February 2010 which provided data on zinc intake and biomarkers of zinc status. An intake-status regression coefficient (βˆ) was calculated for each individual study and calculated the overall pooled βˆ and SE (βˆ) using random effects meta-analysis on a double log scale. The pooled dose-response relationship between zinc intake and zinc status found that a doubling of zinc intake was associated with an increase in serum/plasma zinc status by 3% in pregnant women and by 1% in lactating women. These modest associations are likely to reflect the low-moderate zinc bioavailability dietary patterns and the widespread use of other micronutrients in the populations included in this review, physiologic adjustments of zinc homeostasis, insensitivity of serum/plasma zinc as a biomarker of zinc status, and wide heterogeneity between study results which reflect real uncertainty in the current evidence base. Although this review provides useful information for dietary zinc requirements in populations vulnerable to zinc deficiency, it also highlights a need for further studies in pregnant and lactating women with different dietary patterns in order to provide useful complementary evidence that can be utilized when setting zinc recommendations as a basis for nutrition policies in Europe.

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations in sera and seminal plasma of 60 infertile males (40 oligozoospermic and 20 azoospermic) and 40 males with evidence of fertility (normozoospermic; controls) were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were correlated with the subject's spermogram and hormonal levels in order to determine their relationship and significance in male infertility. The mean serum concentration of zinc was significantly (p0.01) higher in oligozoospermic males when compared to azoospermic subjects and controls. The ratios of serum Zn to seminal plasma Zn were 1:1, 1:3 or 1:4 in oligozoospermic, normozoospermic or azoospermic subjects, respectively. While the mean Cu concentration was significantly higher in serum than seminal plasma in all groups, the Zn concentration was significantly (p0.05) higher in seminal plasma than serum. The Cu/Zn ratio in seminal plasma was significantly (p0.01) higher in controls compared with other groups. A significant (p0.01) inverse correlation was observed between serum Zn and sperm counts. Similarly, seminal plasma Zn negatively correlated with spermatozoa viability. In conclusion, the measurement of serum Zn level, apart from being a good index of the assessment of prostatic secretion and function, may be considered a useful tool in addition to other parameters in assessing male infertility. Also, a lower Cu/Zn ratio in seminal plasma may serve as a supportive tools in assessing male infertility.

Background: Simple, low-cost methods are needed to evaluate the effect of zinc-fortification programs. Plasma zinc concentration is a useful biomarker of zinc intake from supplementation, but responses to zinc fortification are inconsistent. Objective: The objective was to compare the change in plasma zinc concentrations in young children who received zinc from either a liquid supplement or a zinc-fortified complementary food. Design: A double-blind intervention trial was conducted in 137 young Senegalese children aged 9‐17 mo who were randomly assigned to receive one of the following treatments for 15 d: 1 )3 0 g dry weight of an iron-fortified cereal porridge and a liquid multivitamin supplement without zinc (control group), 2) the same porridge and multivitamin supplement with 6 mg Zn added to the supplement dose (ZnSuppl group), or 3) the same porridge with added zinc to provide 6 mg Zn per 25 g dry weight of porridge and multivitamin without zinc (ZnFort group). Results: Mean (6SD) plasma zinc concentration (lg/dL) increased by 4.7 6 1.6 (P = 0.004) in the ZnSuppl group, which was significantly greater (P = 0.009) than the mean change in the control group (21.0 6 1.6; P = 0.51) and in the ZnFort group (21.8 6 1.7; P = 0.29). The latter 2 groups did not differ from each other (P = 0.99). Conclusions: Plasma zinc concentration increased in children who received daily zinc supplementation for 15 d but not in those who received a zinc-fortified complementary food containing a similar amount of zinc. Additional longer-term studies are needed to assess the effect of zinc-fortification programs on zinc-related functional outcomes and the usefulness of plasma zinc as a biomarker of program effect. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as study NCT0094398. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.012278.

Zinc is an important mineral for biological and physiological processes. Zinc deficiency (ZD) is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and a crucial determinant of pregnancy outcomes and childhood development. Zinc levels and the zinc supplementation rate among lactating women have not been assessed neither in Ecuador nor in the Andean region. We conducted a pilot study including 64 mothers of infants between eight days to seven months old from a primary care center located in Conocoto, a peri-urban community of Quito, Ecuador. The mothers were interviewed and a fasting blood sample was taken to determine plasma zinc levels. The prevalence of ZD was calculated and compared with the prevalence of ZD among Ecuadorian non-pregnant non-lactating women, and the sample was analysed considering zinc supplementation during pregnancy. The prevalence of ZD among the participants was 81.3% (95% CI: 71.7–90.9), higher than the reported among non-pregnant non-lactating women (G2 = 18.2; p < 0.05). Zinc supplementation rate was 31.2%. No significant differences were found comparing the groups considering zinc supplementation. The insights obtained from this study encourage extending studies to document zinc levels and its interactions among breastfeeding women in areas with a high prevalence of ZD in order to determine the need of zinc supplementation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on seminal plasma zinc levels and sperm parameters, and to examine the role of seminal plasma zinc. Semen samples from 79 non-smokers and 68 smokers were obtained. There was a significant decrease in seminal plasma zinc in smokers and a clear correlation between seminal plasma zinc levels and the extent of smoking. Sperm parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) among smokers were significantly lower in comparison to non-smokers. These parameters were also significantly decreased among smokers with abnormal zinc levels, while there was no significant difference between non-smokers with normal zinc and non-smokers with abnormal zinc levels. As previous studies have shown that seminal plasma zinc is associated with a decrease of anti-oxidant defences, seminal plasma zinc could be a contributor to the effects of cigarette smoking on sperm parameters. In conclusion, cigarette smoking can affect sperm parameters and this study may help towards providing a mechanistic explanation.

Zusammenfassung An insgesamt 1051 Kuhen der Rasse Deutsches Gelbvieh wurde die Frequenz der Hamoglobin- und Transferrinallele (HbA = 0,8735, HbB = 0,1265, TfA = 0,3017, TfD = 0,6916, TfE = 0,0067), sowie der Erythrozyten-Kalium-Gehalt (17,58 ± 5,03 mAeq/1) und die Plasma-Kupfer-(103,7 ± 30,0 μg/100 ml), Plasma-Eisen-(152,8 ± 45,3 μg/100 ml) und Plasma-Zink-Konzentration-(85,0 ± 27,2 μg/100 ml) ermittelt. Die beiden polymorphen Eiweissysteme ubten keinen Effekt auf Lebenserwartung oder Reaktionslage gegenuber Erkrankungen aus, desgleichen nicht der Erythrozyten-K-Gehalt. Ein signifikanter Einflus der Herkunft (Bestandsproben-Schlachthofproben) auf die Konzentration der Plasmamineralien, nicht aber auf den Erythrozyten-K-Gehalt, konnte festgestellt werden. Die Mehrzahl der Erythrozyten-K-Werte folgte einer Normalverteilung, doch befanden sich etwa 4% der Tiere mit hoheren Konzentrationen weit auserhalb dieser Verteilung. Es bestand kein Einflus des Betriebes auf den Erythrozyten-Kalium-Gehalt, jedoch ein gesicherter Effekt des Vatertieres. Dadurch wird die hohe individuelle Konstanz und genetische Fixierung des Erythrozyten-K erneut unterstrichen. Bei den untersuchten Plasmamineralien war dagegen ein hochgesicherter Betriebseinflus und kein Effekt des Bullen nachweisbar. Dies unterstreicht die Futterungsabhangigkeit dieser Komponenten. Zwischen Hamoglobintyp und Erythrozyten-Kalium-Gehalt waren deutliche Wechselbeziehungen zu verzeichnen in dem Sinne, das Hamoglobin A einen gesicherten depressiven bzw. Hamoglobin B einen anhebenden Effekt auf das Erythrozyten-Kalium ausubte. Dagegen bestanden zwischen Erythrozyten-Kalium und Plasma-Eisen sowie Plasma-Kupfer und Plasma-Eisen nur schwache, wenngleich gesicherte Korrelationen. Die Bedeutung dieser Befunde wird diskutiert. Summary The haemoglobin and transferrin system and the concentration of certain minerals in the blood of a cattle population In 1,050 cows of the German yellow breed, the frequency of alleles of haemoglobin and transferrin (HbA = 0.8735, HbB = 0.1265, TfA = 0.3017, TfD = 0.6916, TfE = 0.0067), as well as the potassium content of the erythrocytes (17.58 ± 5.03 mEq/1), plasma copper (103.7 ± 30.0 μ/g/100 ml), plasma iron (152.8 ± 45.3 μg/100 ml) and plasma zinc (85.0 ± 27.2 μg/100 ml), were determined. The two polymorphic protein systems exercise no effect either on expectation of life or on reactivity to diseases. A significant influence of origin (herd and abattoir samples) could be demonstrated in respect of the concentration of plasma minerals but not on erythrocyte potassium content. Most of the erythrocyte potassium levels followed a normal distribution, although there were about 4% of animals with higher levels well outside this distribution. There was no influence of management on the erythrocyte potassium level but a definite effect of the sire. This emphasises the high individual constancy and genetic fixation of erythrocyte potassium. In the case of the plasma minerals that were studied, in contrast, there was a very marked influence of management and no influence of the bull. This emphasises the dependence of these components on feeding. Between the type of haemoglobin and the level of erythrocyte potassium there were clear inter-relations in the sense that haemoglobin A had a significant depressing effect, whereas haemoglobin B had a stimulating effect on erythrocyte potassium. On the other hand, there was only weak, although significant, correlation between erythrocyte potassium and plasma iron and between plasma copper and plasma iron. The significance of these findings is discussed. Resume Sur le systeme de l'hemoglobine et de la transferrine et sur la concentration de quelques sels mineraux dans le sang d'une population bovine On determine chez 1051 vaches de la race allemande jaune la frequence des alleles de l'hemoglobine et de la transferrine (HbA = 0,8735, HbB = 0,1265, TfA = 0,3017, TfD = 0,6916, TfE = 0,0067), de meme que la teneur en potassium des erythrocytes (17,58 ± 5,03 mEq/1) et la concentration du cuivre plasmatique (103,7 ± 30,0 μg/100 ml), du fer plasmatique (152,8 ± 45,3 μg/100 ml) et du zinc plasmatique (85,0 ± 27,2 μg/100 ml). Les deux systemes proteiques polymorphes n'exercent aucun effet sur la duree de la vie ou la reactivite aux maladies. On a mis en evidence une influence significative de la provenance (echantillons de fermes et d'abattoirs) sur la concentration des mineraux plasmatiques, mais non sur la teneur en K des erythrocytes. Les valeurs du K erythrocytaire se situent en general dans des limites de repartition normales, mais on s'en ecarte chez env. 4% des animaux qui presentent des concentrations beaucoup plus elevees. On n'observe aucune influence de l'exploitation sur la teneur en potassium erythrocytaire, mais un effet certain de l'animal pere. Ceci souligne a nouveau la constance individuelle elevee et la fixation genetique du K erythrocytaire. Pour les mineraux plasmatiques examines, on trouve par contre une influence de l'exploitation tout a fait certaine, mais aucune influence du taureau. Ceci souligne la dependance alimentaire de ces composantes. Entre le type d'hemoglobine et la teneur en potassium erythrocytaire, on note des relations interchangeables nettes, du fait que l'hemoglobine A exerce un effet depressif et l'hemoglobine B un effet exaltant sur la teneur en potassium erythrocytaire. Par contre, il n'existe que des correlations faibles, bien que certaines, entre le potassium erythrocytaire et le fer plasmatique, ainsi qu'entre le cuivre plasmatique et le fer plasmatique. On discute la signification de ces resultats. Resumen Sobre el sistema hemoglobinico y transferrinico y la concentracion de algunos minerales en la sangre de una poblacion vacuna En un total de 1 051 vacas de la raza amarillenta alemana se perquirio la frecuencia de los alelos hemoglobinicos y transferrinicos (HbA = 0,8735, HbB = 0,1265, TfA = 0,3017, TfD = 0,6916, TfE = 0,0067), asi como el contenido en potasio de los eritrocitos (17,58 ± 5,03 meq/l.) y las concentraciones de cobre plasmatico (103,7 ± 30,0 μg/100 ml.), de hierro plasmatico (152,8 ± 45,3 μ/g/100 ml.) y cinc plasmatico (85,0 ± 27,2 μg/100 ml.). Los dos sistemas proteicos polimorfos no ejercian ningun efecto sobre el promedio de vida o la situacion reaccional frente a las enfermedades, ni sobre el contenido potasico de los eritrocitos. Se pudo comprobar cierto influjo significante del origen (pruebas de un efectivo ganadero-pruebas de matadero) sobre la concentracion de los minerales plasmaticos, pero no sobre el contenido potasico de los eritrocitos. La mayoria de los valores potasicos de los globulos rojos seguia una distribucion normal, pero un 4% de los animales se hallaba con concentraciones superiores muy por fuera de esta distribucion. No existia ningun influjo de la explotacion sobre el contenido potasico de los eritrocitos, aunque si un efecto asegurado del toro. Con ello, se confirma de nuevo la enorme constancia individual y la fijacion genetica del potasio de los globulos rojos. Sin embargo, en los minerales plasmaticos examinados se ponia de manifiesto un influjo muy asegurado de la empresa y ningun efecto del animal padre. Esto destaca la dependencia de la alimentacion de estas componentes. Entre el tipo hemoglobinico y el contenido en potasio eritrocitico existian interrelaciones marcadas en el sentido de que la hemoglobina A ejercia un efecto depresivo asegurado o bien la hemoglobina B un efecto elevador sobre el potasio de los globulos rojos. No obstante, entre el potasio eritrocitico y el hierro plasmatico, asi como entre el cobre plasmatico y el hierro plasmatico solo existian correlaciones debiles, aunque aseguradas. Se discute la importancia de estos hallazgos.

Suboptimal zinc status is common in very young children and likely associated with increased risk of infection and detrimental effects on growth. No studies have determined potentially modifiable “predictors” of zinc status in toddlers from high-income countries. This cross-sectional analysis of 115 toddlers from the Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study used weighed diet records (three non-consecutive days) to assess dietary intake, and a venous blood sample (trace-element free techniques) to assess plasma zinc, at 12 months of age. “Predictors” of plasma zinc were determined by univariate analysis and multiple regression. Mean (SD) plasma zinc was 9.7 (1.5) μmol/L, 60% were below the IZiNCG reference limit of

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of plasma zinc, hair zinc, growth and food consumption in children aged 6 to 24 months in a rural area of Diamantina (MG), Brazil. METHODS: Plasma and hair zinc concentrations were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis, respectively. Weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age, expressed as Z-scores, were measured according to the World Health Organization reference curves. Dietary zinc intake was determined by a 3-day dietary recall filled out by the mother or guardian. RESULTS: Zinc deficiency was found in 11.2% and 16.8% of the children according to plasma zinc e hair zinc levels, respectively. Mean plasma zinc and hair zinc for children 11 (127) months of age were 15.4 (SD=4.2) µmol L-1 and 139.5 (SD=72.1) µg g-1 and 16.0 (SD=4.5) µmol L-1 and 134.3 (SD=110.3) µg g-1, respectively. Anthropometric measurements showed that 8.0%, 6.8% and 3.4% of the children were underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. The mean dietary intake of zinc was 3.2 (SD=2.3) mg/day. One-third of the children did not eat enough foods that contain zinc. There were no correlations among plasma zinc level, hair zinc level, anthropometric parameters and zinc intake. CONCLUION: The results demonstrate that zinc deficiency is a problem in the studied population, not just in malnourished children. Nutritional care should be provided for this population in order to improve their consumption of high-zinc foods and monitor zinc deficiency. OBJETIVO: Investigar níveis plasmáticos de zinco, concentração de zinco capilar, crescimento físico, e consumo de zinco em crianças de 6 a 24 meses da região de Diamantina (MG), Brasil. MÉTODOS: As concentrações de zinco plasmático e zinco capilar foram analisadas empregando as técnicas de espectrometria atômica de absorção e de ativação neutrônica, respectivamente. Peso-para-idade, peso-para-altura e altura-para-idade, expressos em escore-Z, foram medidos, de acordo as curvas de referência da Organização Mundial de Saúde. O zinco dietético dos sujeitos foi avaliado a partir de três registros alimentares, preenchidos pelas mães ou responsáveis. RESULTADOS: A deficiência de zinco foi observada em 11,2% e em 16,8% das crianças, segundo os níveis de zinco plasmático e zinco capilar, respectivamente. As médias em crianças com 11 meses ou menos (49) e 11 (127) meses ou mais de idade para níveis de zinco plasmático e zinco em cabelos foram 15,4 (DP=4,2) µmol L-1 e 139,5 (DP= 72,1) µg g-1 e 16,0 (DP= 4,5) µmol L-1 e 134,3 (DP=110,3) µg g-1, respectivamente. Os resultados antropométricos mostraram que 8,0%, 6,8% e 3,4% das crianças foram classificadas com baixo peso, baixa estatura e emagrecidas, respectivamente. A média do consumo dietético de zinco pelas crianças foi de 3,2 (DP=2,3) mg/zinco por dia, e um terço das crianças consumiam alimentos fonte de zinco abaixo do recomendado. Não houve correlação entre as variáveis zinco plasmático, zinco em cabelos, antropometria e consumo de zinco. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstram que a deficiência de zinco é um problema na população estudada, não somente nas crianças desnutridas. Atenção nutricional deverá ser direcionada a esta população, com o intuito de melhorar o consumo de alimentos ricos neste mineral e monitorar a deficiência de zinco.

Rationale : Current knowledge on the relationship between seminal zinc levels and different parameters of human semen is inconsistent. Objectives : To assess the relationship between seminal plasma zinc and semen quality using two markers; zinc concentration (Zn-C) and total zinc per ejaculate (Zn-T). Design : The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods : Semen parameters of 152 healthy men undergoing evaluation for subfertility were assessed. Seminal plasma zinc levels were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Zn-C, expressed as μg/mL, was multiplied by ejaculated volume to calculate Zn-T. Mann Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to compare the zinc levels between different seminal groups when appropriate. Correlations were observed with Pearson's correlation of coefficient. Analysis was carried out using SPSS 10.0 for windows software. Results : Zn-C was low in 23 (15%) samples, while in 32 (21%) of the samples Zn-T was abnormal. The number of subnormal samples was high in the low-zinc groups compared with the normal-zinc groups, 15 vs. 8 (P > 0.05) for Zn-C and 28 vs. 4 (P < 0.001) for Zn-T. Zn-C was significantly high in the asthenozoospermics compared with the normal motile group; 138.11 μg/mL (83.92) vs. 110.69 11 μg/mL (54.59) (P < 0.05). Zn-T was significantly low in samples with hyperviscosity compared with samples with normal viscosity; 220.06 μg (144.09) vs. 336.34 μg (236.33) (P < 0.05). Conversely, Zn-T was high in samples with low viability compared with those with normal viability; 437.67 μg (283.88) vs. 305.15 μg (221.19) (P < 0.05). Weak correlations were found between Zn and some semen parameters. However, the correlation was negative between pH and Zn-C (r = -0.193, P < 0.05) as well as Zn-T (r = -0.280, P < 0.01). On the other hand, correlations were positive between Zn-T and sperm count (r = 0.211, P < 0.05). Conclusion : Count, motility, viability, pH and viscosity are affected by variations of seminal plasma zinc. Seminal plasma Zn-T is the better marker for assessing the relationship between zinc and semen quality.

OBJECTIVE To determine plasma zinc concentrations in children and adolescents with cirrhosis and to investigate the association between these results and dietary zinc intake, anthropometric data, and severity of liver disease. METHODS Plasma zinc concentration was assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 30 children and adolescents with cirrhosis (105.0+/-60.0 months; 22 girls) and 27 without liver disease (122.3+/-47.3 months, 14 girls). Dietary zinc data were evaluated by 3-day food intake records. Anthropometry measures included height, weight, skinfold thickness, brachial circumference, and upper arm muscle size. Severity of liver disease was classified according to the Child-Pugh, MELD, and PELD criteria. RESULTS The mean (+/- standard deviation) plasma zinc concentrations in control subjects and patients were 105.69+/-19.46 and 75.44+/-24.45 microg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001). No associations were found between anthropometric measures, dietary zinc intake, and plasma zinc concentration. There was statistical difference related to plasma zinc concentrations between Child-Pugh B + C patients and control subjects (p < 0.001), and concerning PELD, between patients below the cutoff score of 15 and those above (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hypozincemia was 43% for patients with cirrhosis. Although low plasma zinc concentration was associated with more severe liver disease, it was present even in some Child-Pugh A patients. Therefore, zinc supplementation should be considered for cirrhotic children.

To test the efficacy of zinc supplementation through diet or ayurvedic zinc tablet on cognitive function and taste acuity in adolescent girls.Using zinc-rich food items, snacks were prepared by adopting food-processing methods that enhance zinc bioavailability. Ayurvedic zinc tablet (jasad bhasma) was chosen as a natural elemental zinc supplement. Efficacy of snacks and the tablet was assessed in 180 schoolgirls (12.5 +/- 0.85 years) from Pune City, India, who were randomly allocated to any of the 3 groups: (1) ayurvedic zinc tablet-J, (2) zinc-rich snacks-D, or (3) Control-C. Supplementation was given on every school day (6 days/wk) for 10 weeks. All measurements were recorded at baseline and at the end of the study period. Food intake was recorded by 24-hour diet recall on 3 random days. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and plasma zinc were estimated on a fasting blood sample. Cognitive assessment was done on each participant using tests for simple reaction time (SRT), recognition reaction time (RRT), visual memory, and Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM). Taste acuity was determined by recognition thresholds for salt (RTS) over a range of 10 different salt concentrations.A higher increase in plasma zinc (61.3%) was observed in the J group than in the D group (9.9%) (p0.01), whereas plasma zinc declined in the control group (-2.2%) over baseline (p0.1). Hemoglobin showed no change in all 3 groups (p0.1). Percent increment in scores for memory and RPM was significantly more in the D and J groups (24.5%-29.6%) than in the C group (6.5%) (p0.05). Mean SRT and RRT were reduced more in the D and J groups (5%-16%) than in the C group (1.6%) (p0.05). A significant fall in median RTS from 5 to 2.5 mmol/L was noted after both diet and zinc supplementation (p0.01); however, it remained the same at 5 mmol/L in the Control group after 10 weeks.Supplementation of ayurvedic zinc and zinc-rich foods are effective in improving cognitive performance and the recognition threshold for salt of adolescent girls.

To examine the effect of acute exhaustive exercise versus rest on short-term zinc kinetics in men.Crossover design, wherein all subjects were their own control.University setting, where subjects were free living.12 healthy, sedentary men, 25-35 years of age.(70)Zn was infused 10 min after exercise or at rest. Plasma zinc concentrations were measured at baseline and 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 min after exercise or rest. Haematocrit was measured before and after exercise to assess changes in plasma volume.Plasma zinc (primary), serum creatine kinase and serum cortisol concentrations (secondary).Plasma zinc concentrations decreased (p0.05) after exercise, with a mean (SD) nadir of 13.9% (4.1%) observed at 70 min after exercise. There were increases in the size of the rapidly exchangeable plasma zinc pool (Qa; from 3.1 (0.2) to 3.6 (0.2) mg; p0.05) and the liver zinc pool (Qb; from 10.2 (0.6) to 11.4 (0.8) mg; p = 0.12).Exercise seems to cause a shift of plasma zinc into the interstitial fluid and liver after exercise, which may reflect the acute stress response of strenuous exercise.

A middle-aged woman with neutropenia and ataxia was found to have raised plasma zinc and profoundly low plasma copper concentrations. When found that she had been prescribed 135 mg zinc/day for seven years, a diagnosis of zinc-induced copper deficiency was made. After the zinc prescription was stopped, her copper and zinc concentrations and neutropenia normalized but she only had partial improvement in neurological status. The diagnosis of zinc-induced copper deficiency can be facilitated by the laboratory through measurement of plasma zinc concentration in patients with a low plasma copper concentration.

The EZP is the pool of rapidly exchanging, metabolically active zinc (Zn) in the human body. Its size is measured routinely in stable isotope tracer studies of Zn absorption, and it has been given ...

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of supplemental zinc (Zn) on performance, nutrient digestibility, and plasma Zn status in Zandi lambs. In experiment 1, 18 male lambs (BW = 21.30 ± 0.55 kg) were fed a basal diet containing 22.8 mg Zn/kg dry matter (DM) with no supplemental Zn (control) or 20 mg of supplemental Zn/kg of DM from Zn sulfate (ZnS) or Zn peptide (ZnP). Average daily gain and dry matter intake were higher for the lambs fed the diet supplemented with ZnP. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the ZnP group compared to the control and ZnS groups. In experiment 2, an in vitro gas production technique was used to evaluate the effects of zinc source on the gas production parameters. Rate of gas production after 6 h and total production of gas after 24 and 48 h did not differ between groups. In vitro DM digestibility, short-chain fatty acids, and ME content were increased (P < 0.05) by ZnP supplementation when compared to the ZnS and control groups. The results of this study showed that feeding ZnP improves performance and digestibility of DM and could result in higher metabolizable energy and short-chain fatty acid yield.

Critically ill children have low plasma zinc (pZn), correlating with organ failure. Since Zn influences inflammation, immune function, and glucose control, Zn supplementation is a plausible therapeutic modality. We sought to determine a safe dose of intravenous (IV) Zn to restore pZn in critically ill children.Stepwise dose escalation study of IV Zn supplementation at a tertiary children's hospital. All children (10 years) admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score5, or ≥1 new organ failure were eligible. After consent, patients were sequentially enrolled into 4 dosing groups: (1) no zinc, (2) Zn250: 250 mcg/kg/d ZnSO4, (3) Zn500: 500 mcg/kg/d ZnSO4, or (4) Zn750: 750 mcg/kg/d ZnSO4 ZnSO4 was administered 3 times daily for 7 days. pZn was measured at baseline, end of first ZnSO4 infusion, 1 hour postinfusion, and 7 hours postinfusion on day 1, then daily through days 2-7. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lymphocyte subsets were measured on days 1 and 3. Glucose was measured 3 times daily for 7 days.Twenty-four patients were enrolled. Baseline demographics were similar among groups. Baseline pZn was low in all patients (mean [SD], 41.8 [16.0] mcg/dL). pZn increased over the study period in supplemented groups; however, mean pZn in the Zn750 group exceeded the 50th percentile. pZn was not associated with IL-6, CRP, or lymphocyte subsets among groups. Degree of hyperglycemia did not differ among groups. No patient had a study-related adverse event.IV zinc supplementation at 500 mcg/kg/d restores pZn to near the 50th percentile and is well tolerated.

The study was a comparative evaluation of plasma levels of selenium and zinc trace elements amongst HIV-positive and HIV-negative apparently healthy, individuals. The comparative cross sectional study comprised two groups of forty HIV positive and HIV negative subjects respectively who were gotten by consecutive clinic recruitment and random sampling respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to retrieve the sociodemographic data after obtaining informed consent from willing participants. Blood samples were collected aseptically into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) vacutainer bottles and later analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Data analyses were carried out using data analysis software EpiInfo 7 and Microsoft Word Excel 2007. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation and the student t- test was used to compare means with significance set at P≤0.05. Findings included, instructively, a mean plasma selenium (μg/dl) of 0.0052 ± 0.0024 and 0.0223 ± 0.0054 among HIV negative and positive subjects respectively (p

Zinc deficiency has serious wide-ranging health consequences and is thought to be one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in the world. However, reliable indicators or biomarkers to assess zinc status are not available at present. Indirect indicators such as the prevalence of stunting or anemia, iron deficiency, as well as more direct indicators such as plasma zinc concentrations are being used at present to estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in populations. However, as this paper shows by using data from a recent national micronutrient survey in Vietnam, the estimates of the prevalence of zinc deficiency using these different indicators can vary widely, leading to inconsistencies. In this paper, zinc deficiency among children is four times more prevalent than iron deficiency and 2.3 times more than stunting prevalence for example. This can lead not only to confusion concerning the real extent of the prevalence of zinc deficiency in populations, but also makes it hard to inform policy on whether action is needed or not. Moreover, evaluation of programs is hampered by the lack of a clear indicator. Efforts should be made to identify the most suitable indicator to evaluate the impact of programs aimed at improving zinc status and health of populations.

The present study aims to examine how zinc and testosterone supplementation, in combination and separately, affect plasma LH, FSH and leptin levels in castrated rats. Eighty experimental animals used in the study were allocated to 8 groups, each containing an equal number of rats. Group 1, control group; Group 2, castration group; Group 3, testosterone group (5 mg/kg/day); Group 4, zinc-supplemented group (3 mg/kg/day); Group 5, testosterone and zinc-supplemented group; Group 6, zinc-supplemented castration group; Group 7, testosterone and castration group; and Group 8, zinc-supplemented, testosterone and castration group. Plasma zinc, leptin, LH, FSH and free and total testosterone levels were determined in the blood samples collected from the animals by decapitation. Group 2 had the highest leptin levels and together with group 6, it also showed the highest LH and FSH levels (p

Epidemiological data suggest at least one in five humans are at risk of zinc deficiency. This is in large part because the phytate in cereals and legumes has not been removed during food preparation. Phytate, a potent indigestible ligand for zinc prevents it's absorption. Without knowledge of the frequency of consumption of foods rich in phytate, and foods rich in bioavailable zinc, the recognition of zinc deficiency early in the illness may be difficult. Plasma zinc is insensitive to early zinc deficiency. Serum ferritin concentration≤20μg/L is a potential indirect biomarker. Early effects of zinc deficiency are chemical, functional and may be "hidden". The clinical problem is illustrated by 2 studies that involved US Mexican-American children, and US premenopausal women. The children were consuming home diets that included traditional foods high in phytate. The premenopausal women were not eating red meat on a regular basis, and their consumption of phytate was mainly from bran breakfast cereals. In both studies the presence of zinc deficiency was proven by functional responses to controlled zinc treatment. In the children lean-mass, reasoning, and immunity were significantly affected. In the women memory, reasoning, and eye-hand coordination were significantly affected. A screening self-administered food frequency questionnaire for office might help caregiver's identify patients at risk of zinc deficiency.