Abstract
Zinc (Zn) has been shown to be essential for growth and development of the microorganism, animal and man. However, the mechanism by which Zn promotes growth has not been well defined. We have previously reported a significant decrease in the level of plasma somatomedin-C (PSM-C) in zinc-deficient rats (Experientia 40:498-500, 1984 and Brit.J.Nutr. 56:163-169, 1986). Four healthy volunteers participated in this experiment which was designed so that each subject served as his own control. During a 1-wk baseline period subjects were fed a semi-purified diet containing 1.2 mg Zn/d and were supplemented with Zn-acetate so that their total daily intake of Zn was equal to their habitual daily intake prior to the study period. The baseline period was followed by a 12-wk depletion period where subjects consumed the semi-purified diet with no Zn supplement. By the end of depletion, we observed a significant decrease (p<0.005) in plasma-Zn, whole blood-Zn, urinary-Zn (μg/24 h), plasma-NH3 (p<0.01), plasma-Alk.phosphatase (p<0.01) and PSM-C (p<0.01). In conclusion, the present study suggests that somatomedin-C is Zn-dependent. It provides an insight into the mechanism of growth retardation associated with Zn-deficiency in humans.
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