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Zinc inhibits replication of the SARS‐CoV virus. We aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and biological effect of administering high‐dose intravenous zinc (HDIVZn) to patients with COVID‐19. We performed a Phase IIa double‐blind, randomized controlled trial to compare HDIVZn to placebo in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19. We administered trial treatment per day for a maximum of 7 days until either death or hospital discharge. We measured zinc concentration at baseline and during treatment and observed patients for any significant side effects. For eligible patients, we randomized and administered treatment to 33 adult participants to either HDIVZn (n = 15) or placebo (n = 18). We observed no serious adverse events throughout the study for a total of 94 HDIVZn administrations. However, three participants in the HDIVZn group reported infusion site irritation. Mean serum zinc on Day 1 in the placebo, and the HDIVZn group was 6.9 ± 1.1 and 7.7 ± 1.6 µmol/l, respectively, consistent with zinc deficiency. HDIVZn, but not placebo, increased serum zinc levels above the deficiency cutoff of 10.7 µmol/l (p

Background: We aimed to analyze the effect of oral zinc supplementation on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and catch-up growth in infants with non-organic failure to thrive (NOFTT) who were born preterm as compared to those born at term. Methods: Totally, 105 NOFTT infants aged 2 years or less were enrolled and divided into two groups according to gestational age at birth. Oral zinc sulfate was administered for 6 months to 49/66 children born at term, and 21/39 children born preterm. Serum zinc, IGF-1, weight, and height were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Results: There were no differences in baseline serum zinc levels between the two groups. In preterm NOFTT infants, zinc supplementation significantly increased serum zinc levels compared to those in the non-supplementation group (Δ zinc 0–6 month 10.3 ± 26.4 μg/dL vs. −8.8 ± 23.7 μg/dL, p = 0.018), but it did not significantly change serum IGF-1 levels or weight- and height for age Z-scores. In NOFTT infants born at term who received zinc supplementation, serum zinc levels, IGF-1, weight for age Z-score, and height for age Z-score increased at 6 months (p = 0.001, p = 0.014, p = 0.049, and p = 0.029, respectively), but this increase was not significantly greater than in the non-supplementation group. Only the increase in serum zinc levels was significant after 6 months (Δ zinc 0–6 month 16.8 ± 32.0 μg/dL vs. −10.0 ± 22.6 μg/dL, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Zinc supplementation in NOFTT infants improves serum zinc status, regardless of gestational age at birth. Zinc supplementation in NOFTT infants born at term may improve serum IGF-1 levels and growth, but it does not in NOFTT infants born preterm. Overall nutritional support rather than supplementation of a single nutrient may be more effective for catch-up growth in NOFTT infants born preterm. Key Words: failure to thrive, growth, preterm, treatment, zinc

Background and Aims Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of the elderly. This study was conducted to assess the effect of zinc supplements on fatigue among the elderly. Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 150 elderly aged ≥60 years who were recruited from the health centers (Kashan, Iran) with a convenience sampling method. Participants were allocated to intervention and control groups by block randomization. Participants in the intervention group received a daily dose of 30 mg of zinc supplement for 70 days; meanwhile, in the control group, no intervention was performed. The level of fatigue was measured by the multidimensional fatigue inventory before and after the intervention. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables, fatigue, and serum zinc level before the intervention. The significance level was considered as 0.05 in all tests. Results Zinc supplementation significantly reduced fatigue (mean difference: −10.41 vs 1.37, P

Takako Suzuki,1 Yukio Nakamura,1,2 Hiroyuki Kato1 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan; 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Showa Inan General Hospital, Komagane, Japan Background: This 3-year retrospective study compared the outcomes of bisphosphonate-pretreated denosumab therapy with or without vitamin D and calcium supplementation in postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Materials and methods: Fifty-eight patients under long-term denosumab treatment were divided into groups without (denosumab group; 31 cases) or with (combination group; 27 cases) vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The bone markers of BAP, TRACP-5b, and urinary NTX were measured at baseline and every year for 3years. We also evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar 1–4 vertebrae (L-BMD) and bilateral total hips (H-BMD) at the same time points.Results: There were no significant differences in the percent changes of serum albumin-corrected calcium between the groups. The percent change in TRACP-5b was significantly higher in the combination group at 2years. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status was persistently high during therapy in both groups, with significant percent increases over baseline at 2 and 6months in both groups and at 24months in the combination group. The percent increase from baseline of serum zinc was significantly higher at 3years in the combination group over the denosumab group. L-BMD and H-BMD were significantly increased at every time point for 3 years vs pretreatment levels in both groups and were significantly higher in the combination group at all time points.Conclusion: Compared with denosumab monotherapy, the combination group displayed significantly increased serum zinc, L-BMD, and H-BMD at 3years in OP patients with RA. Thus, calcium and vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial to enhance BMD gains, but not necessarily 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, in patients with OP and RA under denosumab. Keywords: 25(OH)D, bone mineral density, bone-related minerals, denosumab, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: This research sought to summarize the evidence regarding the relationship between serum zinc level and metabolic syndrome (MetS).Methods: The electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to October 2017 for observational studies on the association between serum zinc level and MetS. The standard mean difference (SMD) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of the serum zinc level for MetS versus control participants were calculated. In addition, the pooled odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) of MetS for the highest versus lowest category of serum zinc level, as well as their corresponding 95% CI, were also calculated.Results: A total of 11 observational studies (8 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 2 cohort studies) were included in this meta-analysis. The combined SMD demonstrated that the serum zinc level in MetS was higher than that in control participants (SMD = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.19; p = 0.009). Moreover, the overall multivariable-adjusted RR showed that the increased serum zinc level was associated with a higher risk of MetS (RR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.33-2.50; p < 0.001). On the contrary, the overall multivariable-adjusted OR showed that there was no significant relationship between serum zinc level and MetS (OR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.01; p = 0.841).Conclusions: Although the serum zinc level in participants with MetS was significantly higher than that in control ones, the existing evidence was still insufficient to conclude a definite relationship between serum zinc level and MetS. More well-designed prospective cohort studies are needed to elaborate the concerned issues further.

We measured serum concentrations of trace elements and evaluated their clinical significance in relation to treatment outcomes of critically ill patients. A total of 167 participants (105 men and 62 women; average age, 61.4 years; age range, 18–90 years) were enrolled. Arterial blood concentrations of the trace elements zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese were measured every 14 days. At the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, serum concentrations of zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese were lower than the normal values in 75.1, 1.8, 37.8, and 2.1% of patients, respectively. Serum trace element concentrations measured on day 14 of ICU stay were higher than those measured at the time of ICU admission for zinc (53.3 → 80.7 μg/L) and copper (87.1 → 102.3 μg/L). Increased serum zinc and copper concentrations during ICU care were associated with a significantly lower mortality compared to decreased concentrations of zinc (15.6 vs. 83.3%, p = 0.003) and copper (5.6 vs. 50.0%, p = 0.013). At the time of ICU admission, low serum levels of zinc and copper were observed. Patients with increased serum concentrations of zinc and copper had significantly lower mortality.

This study examined the effect of chronic (2 weeks) administration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZnO) and standard zinc oxide (S-ZnO) on the levels of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in rat serum. S-ZnO and NPs-ZnO were administered either per os (p.o.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 7 mg/kg or 14 mg/kg. Neither form of ZnO administered p.o. altered serum zinc concentration. However, different effects dependent upon either S-ZnO or NPs-ZnO forms were noticed after i.p. administration. Namely, while S-ZnO increased serum zinc concentration (by 136%) only at the higher dose (14 mg/kg), both doses of NPs-ZnO increased zinc concentration (by 97% at 7 mg/kg and by 564% at 14 mg/kg). The form-dependence of the ZnO effect was also demonstrated in the effect on the serum magnesium level. Only the S-ZnO form (at the dose of 14 mg/kg) reduced serum magnesium concentration (by 14% p.o., 6% i.p.). No influence of NPs-ZnO on the serum calcium level was observed. The present study demonstrated effects on the serum Zn and Mg levels, which differed between the standard and nanoparticle forms of ZnO. This may contribute to the different functional effects of these ZnO forms shown previously.

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose level. Trace element homeostasis causes disturbances in diabetes due to hyperglycemia. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, contains zinc and copper ions as its cofactors. Defects in SOD level and activity have been observed in diabetes. Resveratrol (RSV) has displayed hypoglycemic effects and is proven to improve oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible effects of RSV on blood glucose level, serum copper and zinc levels, SOD, and a number of other oxidative markers in type 2 diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats with administration of streptozotocin and nicotine amide. The studied groups containing six animals per group were as follows: group 1 normal control group; group 2 diabetic control group; groups 3, 4, and 5 diabetic rats that received 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight of RSV, respectively for 30 days. Serum glucose, copper, zinc, SOD activity, total oxidant status (TOS) as well as thiol groups were all measured. Blood glucose in RSV treated groups significantly decreased. Similarly, copper significantly decreased in diabetic groups treated with RSV. Treatment with 10 mg/kg RSV resulted in significantly increased serum zinc. Furthermore, Cu/Zn ratio was observed to decrease in treated groups compared with untreated diabetic control group. RSV treated groups revealed an increased level of SOD activity as well as improved oxidative status. In summary, the results showed that RSV has potential hypoglycemic effect, attenuates trace element homeostasis, and consequently increases SOD activity level.

Background : Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cell-mediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Objective : This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal non-zinc-deficient children. Design : We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n =31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n =31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children. Results : Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups ( p

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid concentrations in PCOS women. We are aware of no study evaluating the effects of zinc supplementation on metabolic profiles of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 52 women diagnosed with PCOS and aged 18–40 years old. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive 220 mg zinc sulfate (containing 50 mg zinc) supplements (n=26) or placebo (n=26) per day for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks’ intervention to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations. Results: After 8 weeks of intervention, subjects who received zinc supplements had significantly increased serum zinc levels (+15.6±21.8 vs. −4.1±16.7 mg/dL, P=0.001) compared with placebo. In addition, zinc-supplemented patients had reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (−4.3±9.6 vs. +0.5±6.0 mg/dL, P=0.03), serum insulin levels (−3.0±2.9 vs. +1.5±8.4 µIU/mL, P=0.01), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (−0.8±0.8 vs. +0.3±1.9, P=0.006), homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B) (−10.6±9.5 vs. +4.9±32.1, P=0.02) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.02±0.02 vs. −0.004±0.05, P=0.03) compared with placebo. Additionally, a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (−15.6±40.3 vs. +14.5±25.3 mg/dL, P=0.002) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (−3.2±8.1 vs. +2.9±5.1 mg/dL, P=0.002) was observed following the administration of zinc supplements compared with placebo. Conclusion: Taken together, 220 mg zinc sulfate supplementation per day for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.

Elderly people tend to have higher susceptibility of infections because immune dysfunction, especially cell-mediated immune system which is related to zinc deficiency. Lysine can support zinc role to boost up the cell-mediated immune system which can be determined by CD4 count. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of zinc and lysine supplementation on infection rate and CD4 count in elderly. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a senior center in Surabaya using 24 healthy elderly subjects of both sexes aged 62 to 90 years. They were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. They were given zinc 20 mg per day; or zinc 20 mg and lysine 500 mg per day; or placebo for 2 months. Infection rate during supplementation period was documented. Albumin level, serum zinc level and CD4 count were measured before and after supplementation. The data was analyzed using one way Anova and paired T-test with p < 0.05. Compared to control group, infection rate was lower in zinc group and zinc + lysine group (p < 0.065). Zinc + lysine supplementation increased serum zinc level significantly (p < 0,012) and had better effect compared to zinc supplementation alone. Zinc + lysine supplementation also increased CD4 count (p < 0,784) and had better effect compared to zinc supplementation alone. Zinc + lysine supplementation did not increase albumin level which was already in the normal level. Zinc + lysine supplementation can reduce infection rate in elderly by increasing zinc level and CD4 count.

Background: WHO guidelines recommend zinc supplementation as a key adjunct therapy for childhood diarrhea in developing countries, however zinc’s anti-diarrheal effects remain only partially understood. Recently, it has been recognized that low-grade inflammation may influence stunting. In this study, we examined whether oral zinc supplementation could improve weight, intestinal inflammation, and diarrhea in undernourished weanling rats. Methods: Rats were undernourished using a northeastern Brazil regional diet (RBD) for two weeks, followed by oral gavage with a saturated lactose solution (30 g/kg) in the last 7 days to induce osmotic diarrhea. Animals were checked for diarrhea daily after lactose intake. Blood was drawn in order to measure serum zinc levels by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Rats were euthanized to harvest jejunal tissue for histology and cytokine profiles by ELISA. In a subset of animals, spleen samples were harvested under aseptic conditions to quantify bacterial translocation. Results: Oral zinc supplementation increased serum zinc levels following lactose-induced osmotic diarrhea. In undernourished rats, zinc improved weight gain following osmotic diarrhea and significantly reduced diarrheal scores by the third day of lactose intake (p < 0.05), with improved jejunum histology (p < 0.0001). Zinc supplementation diminished bacterial translocation only in lactose-challenged undernourished rats (p = 0.03) compared with the untreated challenged controls and reduced intestinal IL-1β and TNF-α cytokines to control levels. Conclusion: Altogether our findings provide novel mechanisms of zinc action in the setting of diarrhea and undernutrition and support the use of zinc to prevent the vicious cycle of malnutrition and diarrhea.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state characterized by altered adipokine production and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. The study explored the effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipocyte hormones in young obese women. Twenty five non-obese women and forty obese women (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) aged 19–28 years were recruited for this study. Twenty obese women of the study group took 30 mg/day of supplemental zinc as zinc gluconate for 8 weeks and 20 obese women of control group took placebo. Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentration were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and adipocyte hormones such as lepin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Inflammatory markers and leptin were significantly higher, but adiponectin was significantly lower in obese women than non-obese women. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc by 15 % and urinary zinc by 56 % (P

We administered zinc supplementation therapy over three years to patients with chronic hepatitis C and reported and that the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotaransferase (ALT) levels decreased, and platelet counts increased, significantly in the group with increased serum zinc concentrations. We are continuing this treatment to clarify the long-term consequences and report here the changes in serum zinc concentrations over seven years and compare the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We administered polaprezinc to 32 patients, randomly selected for zinc therapy (treatment group), while another 30 formed the control group. We measured the serum zinc and albumin concentrations and conducted a prospective study to determine long-term outcomes. The changes and rates of change of serum zinc concentrations after seven years were 76.7 ± 18.2 µg/dl and +0.302 ± 0.30% in the treatment group and 56.7 ± 12.4 µg/dl and +0.033 ± 0.21% in the control group and had increased significantly (p = 0.0002, p = 0.0036). Progression of liver disease seemed to vary, depending on serum albumin concentrations. In the group with baseline serum albumin concentrations of 4.0 g/dl or more, the change and rate of change of serum zinc concentrations increased significantly, and the cumulative incidence of HCC tended to decrease, in the treated group. According to multivariate analysis, the factors that contribute to a reduction in the incidence of HCC are zinc therapy (risk ratio: 0.113, 95% CI: 0.015-0.870, p = 0.0362), and platelet counts (0.766, 0.594-0.989, 0.0409). Zinc supplementation therapy seems to improve liver pathology and reduce the incidence of HCC.

To investigate whether the administration of the zinc-containing nutritional supplement ZMA causes an increase of serum testosterone levels, which is an often claimed effect in advertising for such products; to monitor the urinary excretion of testosterone and selected steroid hormone metabolites to detect potential changes in the excretion patterns of ZMA users. Fourteen healthy, regularly exercising men aged 22–33 years with a baseline zinc intake between 11.9 and 23.2 mg day−1 prior to the study. Supplementation of ZMA significantly increased serum zinc (P=0.031) and urinary zinc excretion (P=0.035). Urinary pH (P=0.011) and urine flow (P=0.045) were also elevated in the subjects using ZMA. No significant changes in serum total and serum free testosterone were observed in response to ZMA use. Also, the urinary excretion pattern of testosterone metabolites was not significantly altered in ZMA users. The present data suggest that the use of ZMA has no significant effects regarding serum testosterone levels and the metabolism of testosterone in subjects who consume a zinc-sufficient diet.

Introduction: Hyperzincaemia and hypercalprotectinaemia with systemic inflammation, recurrent infections, hepatosplenomegaly, arthritis, anemia, cutaneous inflammation, and failure to thrive is an extremely rare disease and no therapy is reported. Aim: To evaluated the effects of cyclosporine A in hyperzincaemia and hypercalprotectinaemia in terms of serum cytokine level changes before and after treatment. Methods: A 10-year-old girl was admitted suffering from pyoderma gangrenosum, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia that was unresponsive to iron supplementation, persistent inflammation, arthritis, and increased serum zinc. The level of serum calprotectin was extremely high; therefore, we diagnosed hyperzincaemia and hypercalprotectinaemia and started cyclosporine A treatment. Twelve cytokines in serum were measured before and one year after treatment. Results: Cyclosporine A was very effective. Her skin lesion and joint pain were alleviated and quality of life was markedly improved. C-reactive protein had decreased and anemia had improved. While zinc levels had fallen, calprotectin remained at an extremely high level. Of the cytokines examined, interleukin -6 serum levels had fallen and interleukin -8 showed a marked reduction after treatment. Conclusion: Cyclosporine A is effective for hyperzincaemia and hypercalprotectinaemia. Serum interleukin -8 may be useful in assessing the therapeutic effects of cyclosporine A in hyperzincaemia and hypercalprotectinaemia.

This study examined whether supplementing the diet with a commercial supplement containing zinc magnesium aspartate (ZMA) during training affects zinc and magnesium status, anabolic and catabolic hormone profiles, and/or training adaptations. Forty-two resistance trained males (27 ± 9 yrs; 178 ± 8 cm, 85 ± 15 kg, 18.6 ± 6% body fat) were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner either a dextrose placebo (P) or ZMA 30–60 minutes prior to going to sleep during 8-weeks of standardized resistance-training. Subjects completed testing sessions at 0, 4, and 8 weeks that included body composition assessment as determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, 1-RM and muscular endurance tests on the bench and leg press, a Wingate anaerobic power test, and blood analysis to assess anabolic/catabolic status as well as markers of health. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicated that ZMA supplementation non-significantly increased serum zinc levels by 11 – 17% (p = 0.12). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in anabolic or catabolic hormone status, body composition, 1-RM bench press and leg press, upper or lower body muscular endurance, or cycling anaerobic capacity. Results indicate that ZMA supplementation during training does not appear to enhance training adaptations in resistance trained populations.

Background: Zinc deficiency may result in abnormal dark adaptation or night blindness, a symptom primarily of vitamin A deficiency. During a placebo-controlled trial in Nepal, weekly vitamin A supplementation of women reduced but failed to eliminate the incidence of night blindness during pregnancy, suggesting a role for zinc. Objective: The study examined the efficacy of daily zinc supplementation in restoring night vision of pregnant women who developed night blindness while routinely receiving either vitamin A, β-carotene, or placebo in a field trial. Design: Women (n = 202) who reported to be night blind during pregnancy were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner, stratified on vitamin A, β-carotene, or placebo receipt, to receive 25 mg Zn or placebo daily for 3 wk. Thus, the 6 groups studied were as follows: β-carotene + zinc, β-carotene alone, vitamin A + zinc, vitamin A alone (vitamin A + placebo), zinc alone (zinc + placebo), and placebo (2 placebos: one for the vitamin A or β-carotene study and one for the zinc study). Women underwent a clinic-based assessment that included pupillary threshold testing and phlebotomy before and after supplementation. Supplement use and daily history of night blindness were obtained at home twice every week. Results: Zinc treatment increased serum zinc concentrations, but alone (zinc alone group), failed to restore night vision or to improve dark adaptation. However, women in the vitamin A + zinc group who had baseline serum zinc concentrations

The effect of zinc on bone metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown. In the present pilot study, we investigated the effect of two antiulcer drugs, beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) and cimetidine, on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with RA who had bilateral wrist pain. Eight patients were enrolled in a prospective, single-blind study consisting of 6-month cimetidine treatment (400 mg/day) followed by 6-month AHZ treatment (300 mg/day). Biochemical markers and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Three patients withdrew, and five patients (mean age 60: range 55-64 years) were analyzed. Their disease activity including wrist pain and dosages of prednisolone and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs remained unchanged during the 12-month treatment. The AHZ treatment increased serum zinc (AHZ vs cimetidine, +48.0% vs +5.6%), and resulted in significant increases of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (+93.5% vs -14.7%) and BMD of the bilateral ultradistal radius (+4.9% vs -5.6%). However, the AHZ treatment had no effect on BMD of the lumbar spine (-2.0% vs +1.5%) or the bilateral distal third of radius (-2.1% vs +0.2%). In the AHZ treatment, the percentage change in BMD of the unilateral ultradistal radius with more severe wrist pain was positively correlated with the percentage change in serum zinc (r = 0.97). These findings suggest for the first time that AHZ treatment improves periarticular osteoporosis, probably through an increase of bone formation, in postmenopausal women with RA. Randomized double-blind controlled trials are needed.

We supplemented the diets of 47 peripubertal girls with zinc (15 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc. Insulin-like growth factor I and biochemical markers of bone turnover did not change, albeit dietary zinc was below the reference level (in 94% of individuals).

Seventeen women, between the ages of 18 and 26, with a chronic history of bingeing and purging on a daily basis were compared to sex-matched control groups of the same age range and to “normal” reference values to assess their nutritional status. Anthropometric studies indicated the bulimics were 67% of standard for triceps skinfold thickness, demonstrating moderately depleted fat reserves. Five (29%)of the seventeen subjects were below the 5th percen- tile of triceps skinfold measurements. Somatic protein stores appeared to be adequate. The bulimics had significantly lowered serum globulin levels and total lymphocyte counts but increased serum transferrin and iron concentra- tions, compared to controls. There was a trend toward increased serum zinc and phosphorous and lowered white blood counts in the bulimic group. There was also a significantly decreasedpotassium value in the laxative abus- ers, but not the vomiter group. Vitamin supplementation did not appear to af- fect serum zinc, iron or transferrin status. The biochemical data of the bulimic group were still within “normal” ranges, despite some statistically significant differences from the control group. The practice of bulimia was not shown to be nutritionally traumatizing.

Oral zinc sulfate was given for 1 month to 83 normal subjects distributed in four groups according to age (20 to 40; 40 to 60), sex, and oral contraception. Their in vitro lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A, and their serum zinc and copper levels were measured before and after treatment. They were compared in 20 untreated subjects. Zinc treatment significantly increased the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A. In the group of women aged 40 to 60, this resulted in a normalisation of the response to Concanavalin A. The response to zinc was related to the starting value of lymphocyte stimulation obtained by phytohemagglutinin, i.e., in low responders this was enhanced whereas in high responders it tended to be reduced. Treatment increased serum zinc and had no effect on serum copper. There was no correlation between serum zinc or copper and the lymphocyte response. The beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on the lymphocyte response does not result from a correction of latent zinc deficiency.

The influence of various salts, chelates, and other complexes of zinc given by gavage on serum zinc levels in rats was studied. Serum zinc concentrations were determined over 6 hr after administration of zinc sulfate at doses of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg of zinc/kg. Serum zinc levels following doses of zinc salts and complexes were compared with those after zinc sulfate. Phytic acid, aminopolycarboxylic acids (including edetate disodium), and penicillamine significantly suppressed increases in serum zinc concentration. Some natural amino acid-zinc sulfate mixtures (those with lysine, cysteine, glycine, and histidine) produced greater levels than the equivalent dose of zinc sulfate alone. Several thiocarboxylic acids, such as mercaptoacetic acid and thiosalicylic acid, also increased serum zinc concentrations. These observations form a basis for attempted modification of zinc absorption in other species.

Zinc deficiency may result in increased DNA oxidation resulting in DNA breaks which leads to micronuclei formation. Therefore, micronuclei frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells has the potential to be an indicator for zinc status. The study was designed to explore the possibility of using micronuclei frequency (MNF) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as a biomarker for zinc status. The study was double blind and placebo controlled. Fourteen females with moderately low dietary zinc intake were randomly assigned to receive either zinc (20 mg of zinc as zinc sulfate /day) or placebo for twenty-one days. MNF of peripheral blood lymphocytes were determined by using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Plasma zinc levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc levels (P = 0.008) and decreased cells with micronucleus (P =0.054) and micronuleus frequency (P = 0.016) in PBMCs. Individuals with higher zinc status, as achieved with zinc supplementation, have low micronucleus frequency. Keywords: MNF (Micronucleus Frequency); CBMN (Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus) Assay; PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) DOI: 10.3329/akmmcj.v1i1.7452 Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal 2010; 1(1): 04-08

The present study gives full balance data for zinc in two healthy individuals before and during treatment with chlorthalidone. Positive zinc balances were noted in both subjects without therapy. During chlorthalidone treatment the balances changed in a negative direction. Thus, the normal or slightly increased serum zinc values, which have been observed during diuretic treatment in spite of increased urinary losses of zinc, cannot be explained by increased zinc absorption. Depletion of zinc in tissues seems likely.

The administration of 200 mg of ZnSO4.7H2O to six normal healthy males gave rise to increased serum zinc levels when this drug was taken in a fasting state, whereas administration during a light meal caused no increased levels.