Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Enzyme Activities in Rat and Pig Erythrocyte Membranes

PurposeThe severity of prostate cancer (PCa), which determines the disease progression, is theorized to be a function of zinc status. Hence, this study was structured to determine the impact of zinc status on the severity and progression of PCa disease.Materials and MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 220 histologically-confirmed PCa patients and 220 age-matched controls, conducted prospectively in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Plasma zinc, prostate-specific antigen, creatinine, fasting glucose, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were determined for both study groups. The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades and the American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical staging were employed as indices for PCa severity (grade) and progression (stage) respectively.ResultsThe PCa patients had markedly reduced plasma zinc status compared to controls (cases: 9.42±3.02 µmol/L versus controls: 15.23±4.47 µmol/L; p<0.001). Low zinc status was more pronounced within the severe grade and advanced PCa disease subgroups (p<0.001). Inverse relationships existed between zinc status and ISUP grades among the entire PCa patient (p<0.001) and the categorized PCa grade and stage subgroups (p<0.001). Low zinc status had significant impact of predicting severe (crude=odds ratio [OR], 8.714; p<0.001; age-adjusted=OR, 11.152; p<0.001) and advanced (crude=OR, 17.160; p<0.001; age-adjusted=OR, 18.927; p<0.001) PCa disease.ConclusionsThis study suggests that low plasma zinc status is associated with severe grade and advanced PCa disease. However, further well-designed studies with large sample sizes are warranted to confirm these associations.

Compromised Zinc Status in Rats Adversely Affects Calcium Metabolism in Platelets

Introduction: Zinc is an essential nutrient that is related to many health issues, including cutaneous and hair health Aims: To study the prevalence of low and high zinc concentrations among university students and to evaluate the association between zinc status and various health issues including hair loss, skin health, immunity, diarrhea and weight status. Methods: Study outcomes which included age, BMI, gender, health variables such as diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss and others were collected using a structured questionnaire, whereas serum zinc concentration was measured using spectrophotometry. Results: 33% of the study participants had low zinc level, whereas 34.7% had zinc levels higher than normal. Both high and low zinc status were associated with significant hair loss (p&lt;0.0001). High and low zinc status were not significantly related to other study outcomes such as diarrhea, acne and weight loss. Healthy diet score was not significantly different between zinc status categories and was not significantly related to other study outcomes. Conclusion: Appropriate intake of zinc and zinc concentration may protect from hair loss and should be promoted.

Plasma zinc in adults with cystic fibrosis: Correlations with clinical outcomes

Although zinc deficiency increases the risk of oxidative DNA damage, data regarding the association between zinc and oxidative DNA damage in diabetes are controversial. In this article, we focus on serum zinc levels and its relation to an established biomarker of oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) in patients with type 2 diabetes, and to ascertain the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on the level of oxidative DNA damage. The study consisted of 2 interrelated parts: The first part was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 297) and healthy individuals (n = 188). The second part was an interventional study that enrolled 38 diabetic patients with low zinc status and high DNA damage. The demographic parameters including age, gender, and body mass index were recorded, and DNA damage marker through 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels, and zinc status of serum zinc, was measured. Significantly higher 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels (P < 0.00) together with lower zinc levels (P < 0.001) were found in the diabetics compared to healthy controls. Patients with low zinc status had higher levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine compared to patients with normal zinc status. In diabetic patients, a negative correlation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine was observed with zinc (P = 0.070). Zinc supplementation showed a significant decrease in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine by (26.0%) and increased in serum zinc by (42.0%). Elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in conjunction with low zinc status may indicate a high degree of oxidative DNA damage in diabetic patients. The results confirm that zinc supplementation in this group may help correct abnormal levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine.

Low Zinc Status in Guinea Pigs Impairs Calcium Uptake by Brain Synaptosomes

BackgroundPeople with kidney failure are often deficient in zinc and selenium, but little is known about the optimal way to correct such deficiency.MethodsWe did a double-blind randomized trial evaluating the effects of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and vitamin E added to the standard oral renal vitamin supplement (B and C vitamins) among hemodialysis patients in Alberta, Canada. We evaluated the effect of two daily doses of the new supplement (medium dose: 50 mg Zn, 75 mcg Se, 250 IU vitamin E; low dose: 25 mg Zn, 50 mcg Se, 250 IU vitamin E) compared to the standard supplement on blood concentrations of Se and Zn at 90 days (primary outcome) and 180 days (secondary outcome) as well as safety outcomes.ResultsWe enrolled 150 participants. The proportion of participants with low zinc status (blood level <815 ug/L) did not differ between the control group and the two intervention groups at 90 days (control 23.9% vs combined intervention groups 23.9%, P > 0.99) or 180 days (18.6% vs 28.2%, P = 0.24). The proportion with low selenium status (blood level <121 ug/L) was similar for controls and the combined intervention groups at 90 days (32.6 vs 19.6%, P = 0.09) and 180 days (34.9% vs 23.5%, P = 0.17). There were no significant differences in the risk of adverse events between the groups.ConclusionsSupplementation with low or medium doses of zinc and selenium did not correct low zinc or selenium status in hemodialysis patients. Future studies should consider higher doses of zinc (≥75 mg/d) and selenium (≥100 mcg/d) with the standard supplement.Trial registrationRegistered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01473914)Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-015-0042-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impaired Hemostasis and Platelet Function in Rats Fed Low Zinc Diets Based on Egg White Protein

Influence of iron and zinc status on cadmium accumulation in Bangladeshi women

As an initial subdeficient status of zinc, considered as an essential antioxidant trace element, is frequent in burned patients, we aim to assess the effects of low zinc dietary intakes on burn-induced oxidative stress, in an animal model. After 8 weeks of conditioning diets containing 80 ppm (control group) or 10 ppm of zinc (depleted group), Wistar rats were 20% TBSA burned and sampled 1-10 days after injury. Kinetic evolutions of zinc status, plasma oxidative stress parameters, and antioxidant enzymes were also studied in blood and organs. The zinc-depleted diet induced, before injury, a significant decrease in zinc bone level and the increase of oxidative stress markers without stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activity. After burn, more markedly in zinc depleted animals than in controls, zinc levels decreased in plasma and bone, while increasing in liver. The decrease of thiol groups and GSH/GSSG ratio and the depression of GPx activity in liver are also moderately emphasized. Nevertheless, depleted zinc status could not be considered as determining for oxidative damages after burn injury. Further investigations must also be done to enlighten the mechanism of beneficial effects of zinc supplementation reported in burned patients.

Background: Seizure is a common neurological disorder in neonatal age group!. Primary metabolic derangement is one of the important reason behind this convulsion during this period. Among primary metabolic derangement hypoglycemia, is most common followed by bypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, low zinc status etc. As causes of many cases of convul­sion remain unknown in neonate. Objectives: To see the zinc status in the sera of neonate with convulsion. So that if needed early intervention can be taken up and thereby prevent complications. Method: A total of 50 neonates (1-28 days) who had convulsion with no apparent reasons of convulsion were enrolled as cases and 50 healthy age and sex matched neonates were enrolled as controls. After a quick clinical evaluation serum zinc status was estimated from venous blood by atomic absorption method in Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre. Low zinc was considered if serum value was &lt;0.7mg/L. Results: Among a total of 50 cases 6% had low zinc value &amp; 2% of controls also had low zinc level. The mean serwu zinc level of cases and controls were 1.57±0.95 and 2.37±1.06 mmol/1 respectively (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: From the study it is seen that low zinc value is an important cause of neonatal seizure due to primary metabolic abnormalities. So early recognition and treatment could save these babies from long term neurological sequelies.

Methods of assessment of zinc status in humans: a systematic review

Low birthweight is associated with maternal anaemia and, in some circumstances, with low iron and zinc status, but this relationship has not been investigated in the Philippines. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of anaemia and suboptimal iron and zinc status in pregnant women from three geographical regions (mountain, coast, city) of Zamboanga del Sur province at 24 weeks (n = 305). and again at 36 weeks (n = 127), gestation. At 24 weeks, 34% were anaemic (i.e., haemoglobin < 105 g/L) from all causes, of whom only 14% had concomitant low serum ferritin values (i.e., < 12 microg/L). The presence of infection was low, based on both elevated white blood cell count (> 11 x 10(9)/L; 19%) and serum C-reactive protein (> 15 mg/L; 3%). Of the women surveyed, 20% were iron depleted but not anaemic, and 15% were zinc deficient (i.e., serum zinc < 7.1 Micromol/L). The mean (+/- SD) birthweight of the infants (n = 250) was 3074 g +/- 408 g, of whom 5% were of low birthweight (< 2500 g). No differences existed for biochemical indices or birthweight among the three regions, or between women consuming maize or rice-based diets. Women with low haemoglobin (P = 0.05) and low serum zinc (P = 0.14) values at 24 weeks gestation had infants with lower birthweights than those with values > or = 105 g/L and > or = 7.1 micromol/L, respectively. However, in the multivariate model, the contribution of maternal haemoglobin to the variance in birthweight at 24 weeks gestation was non-significant, although modest for serum zinc. Anaemia and/or suboptimal zinc status during pregnancy may be related to low birthweight in the Philippines, and their aetiology deserves further study.

High sodium intake is one of the risk factors for the development of hypertension. According to 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, sodium intake of Korean was three times higher than adequate intake (1.5 g/day) recommended by Korean Dietary Reference Intakes. High sodium intake is related to high threshold and preference of salty taste. And zinc status is known to affect taste acuity. The hypothesis of this study is that zinc status is associated with salty taste acuity, preference, sodium intake and blood pressure. The subjects included in this study were 50 men and 41 women aged 20-29 y who did not smoke and not take supplements or medications regularly. Dietary intake data for 3 days were collected by 24-h recall for 1 day and dietary record for 2-days. Salty taste acuity and preference were determined by sensory test. Fasting serum concentration of zinc, height, weight, body composition and blood pressure data were collected. Salt taste preference in high zinc intake group (≥ estimated average requirement, EAR; men-8.1 mg/day, women-7 mg/day) was higher than that in low zinc intake group (< EAR). Salty taste preference was inversely correlated with serum zinc concentration in people with low concentration of serum zinc (≦ 81μg/dL)(r = -0.3520, p < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was higher in high sodium intake group than in low sodium intake group (p < 0.05), positively correlated with salty taste preference (r = 0.3866, p < 0.05) in subjects with daily zinc intake below the EAR. We conclude that low zinc status may be related to high salty taste preference and high blood pressure in Korean young adults. (Korean J Nutr 2010; 43(2): 132 ~ 140)

To evaluate the role of zinc status in immune system dysfunction in diabetic animals, the interleukin-2 production and the lymphocyte mitogenic response to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide were measured in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with insulin and their non-diabetic controls maintained on low zinc, normal zinc and high zinc diets for 3 weeks. Unstimulated lymphocyte proliferation was significantly lower in diabetic rats compared to nondiabetic control rats maintained on normal zinc diet (1505 +/- 318 vs 3447 +/- 497 cpm) (p less than 0.005) or low zinc diet (546 +/- 191 vs 4011 +/- 628 cpm) (p less than 0.005). High zinc diet attenuated the difference between the diabetic rats (2404 +/- 833 cpm) and control rats (3929 +/- 713 cpm). Insulinised diabetic rats were similar to control rats. Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was not significantly altered with dietary zinc changes, but diabetic rats on low zinc diet had significantly lower (p less than 0.025) values compared to control rats on the same diet (41470 +/- 7874 vs 72308 +/- 8895 cpm). Insulinisation did not normalise phytohemaegglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (40711 +/- 3666 cpm). Similarly, cells from diabetic rats on low zinc diet, unlike their controls, failed to respond to concanavalin A stimulation. Compared to control rats the diabetic rats on either low or normal zinc diets had lower lipopolysaccharide-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. High zinc diet or insulinisation normalised mitogenic response of lymphocytes to lipopolysaccharide. Unlike the diabetic rats alterations in dietary zinc intake did not significantly affect the lymphocyte proliferation in control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)