Average Zinc Level Research Articles

Evaluation of serum zinc levels in hospitalized children with bacterial pneumonia, Urmia, Iran

Background: Pneumonia in children causes 30% of deaths worldwide, and the role of zinc as a micronutrient in treating pneumonia is unclear. Zinc improves immune system function and deficiency increases infectious disease risk and growth. This study aims to determine zinc serum levels in children hospitalized with pneumonia and compare them with those without pneumonia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 100 children aged 1 to 59 months between January and July 2022. 50 children were admitted to Urmia Motahari Hospital in Iran with pneumonia, while 50 other children were studied as a control group. Zinc levels were measured in two groups, and the data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The study found that the average zinc level in the case group was 67.35 ± 42.03, while in the control group it was 93.26 ± 41.80. The control group had a significantly higher zinc level. Hospitalization for more than 10 days was significantly lower than hospitalization for less than 10 days. Patients with complications had lower serum zinc levels, with significant differences in empyema, pleural effusion, and ventilation. Patients with wheezing, stridor, cyanosis, sleep disorder, and lethargy also had lower zinc levels. Conclusion: The average level of zinc in children with pneumonia was significantly lower than the control group.

Evaluation of the Serum Zinc Level in Patients Followed in Hospital with the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Samsun Province, Türkiye

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak has not yet ended and poses a persistent hazard to individuals, communities, and healthcare systems globally. Similar to numerous other diseases, the immune system of the patient is intricately associated with the advancement and mortality rates of COVID-19. In general, the immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the host against infections and neoplastic cells, and a well-balanced diet can enhance the immune system's ability to effectively defend against infectious agents. There have been suggestions that the administration of zinc supplements may decrease the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in children who are deficient in zinc. This study will thus examine the potential of zinc as a preventive and therapeutic agent, either on its own or in conjunction with other techniques, as zinc fulfills all the requirements outlined above. The study cohort was stratified into three distinct groups, namely critical care patients, service patients, and a healthy control group; a total of 24 COVID-19 patients in critical care, 27 ward-treated COVID-19 patients, and 26 healthy individuals. The groups exhibited a notable disparity in age distribution (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was seen among the groups in relation to the survey results, presence of chronic disease, and length of hospital stay (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.007, respectively). COVID-19 patients (n=51) exhibited markedly reduced zinc levels in comparison to a control group of healthy individuals (n=26). It was observed that the average zinc level in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 89 μg/dl (range: 43-123 μg/dl). In comparison, the median zinc level in individuals without COVID-19 was found to be 99.5 μg/dl (range: 79-125 μg/dl). A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (p=0.023). The study revealed that a total of 13 individuals, accounting for 25.5% of the COVID-19 patients, exhibited a deficiency in zinc levels. The findings of our study indicate that zinc potentially plays a significant role in the context of COVID-19. However, additional research is required to get a comprehensive understanding of the association between COVID-19 and zinc.

Level of maternal zinc serum as risk factor of preeclampsia

Objective : To know the relationship of serum zinc levels with preeclampsia (PE)
 Method: This observational research uses a type of case control research. The population of this study is all pregnant women with a single pregnancy, gestational age of 28-42 weeks who were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang from August 2020 to November 2020. The study divided into 2 group, a case group of 30 pregnant women with PE and a control group of 60 pregnant women non PE. Serum zinc level examination is performed on all samples that match the research criteria. The data is processed by using SPSS software program version 20.0 Windows.
 Result: Both case and control groups had no meaningful differences to the general characteristics of the patient. There were significant differences in average zinc levels of maternal serum in both research groups (p=0.013; 43.90 plus-minus 15.79 pg/dL). The value of serum zinc levels that have the best sensitivity and specificity is at 45.5 pg/dL.
 Conclusion: There is a meaningful relationship between serum zinc levels and PE events. Pregnant women with serum zinc levels greater than or equal to 45.5 pg /dL were significantly at 3.2 times more risk of PE than pregnant women with serum zinc levels less than or equal to 45.5 pg/dL. In this case it is necessary to supplement zinc earlier in pregnancy to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Keywords: preeclampsia, zinc, case-control studies

Perbedaan Kadar Zink ASI pada Ibu Postpartum dengan Anemia dan Tidak Anemia

Zinc is one of the substances needed in breast milk for baby growth. Zinc deficiency is a common health problem that affects the development of children and contributes to diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in zinc levels in the first week postpartum mothers with anemia compared to postpartum mothers who were not anemic. The research design used observational analytic with a cross-sectional approach, with purposive sampling. Examination of zinc levels in breast milk using spectrophotometry. Data analysis used an unpaired t-test. The test results obtained that the average zinc level in the first week postpartum mothers who were not anemic was 0.40±0.350 mg/L while the average zinc level in the first week postpartum mothers with anemia was 0.42±0.439 mg/L with p-value=0.92 (p>0.05). There was no difference between zinc levels in the first week postpartum mothers with anemia and not anemia. The zinc concentration in breast milk is highest during colostrum, while the lowest value is between 7-12 months of lactation and increases during weaning.

QUALITY MONITORING OF FOOD AND HATCHING CHICKEN EGGS ACCORDING TO VITAMINS AND MICROELEMENTS

The aim of the work was to monitor the quality of food and hatching chicken eggs in terms of the content of vitamins and microelements. It was found that in the conditions of growing the reproductive livestock of chickens of the meat direction of productivity, there are deviations towards a deficiency in the content of vitamin B2 (the average indicator of the content of vitamin B2 for 5 years in the yolks of hatching eggs was below the norm in 94.9 % of the samples), carotenoids (in 52,3%), vitamin E (15.1 %) and Selene (9.7 %); in the conditions of growing reproductive livestock of the egg production direction – in terms of the content of carotenoids (in 63.6 %), vitamin E (in 30.8%), zinc (in 29.3 %) and selenium (40.8 %), and in industrial in egg production, the deficiency of the above substances is significantly pronounced, especially in terms of the content of zinc and selenium.
 The average content of carotenoids in the yolk of eggs of hens of the egg production direction was 12.28 ± 0.32 mg/kg, meat – 17.27 ± 0.35 mg/kg. The average content of vitamin A in the yolk of edible and incubation (from hens of egg and meat production) eggs was 7.10 ± 0.02 mg/kg, 7.35 ± 0.04 mg/kg, and 8.00 ± 0.03 mg/kg respectively. The average content of vitamin E in the yolk of eggs of hens of the egg direction was 353.86 ± 1.74 mg/kg, meat – 364.71 ± 1.54 mg/kg. The average content of vitamin B2 was, respectively, 4.47 ± 0.01 mg/kg, 4.60 ± 0.01 mg/kg and 4.84 ± 0.02 mg/kg for food and eggs from chickens in both directions of productivity. The average zinc level was 6.52 ± 0.07 mg/kg, 9.68 ± 0.17 mg/kg and 13.63 ± 0.19 mg/kg in eggs. The average copper level was 0.94 ± 0.01 mg/kg, 1.24 ± 0.02 mg/kg and 1.67 ± 0.04 mg/kg respectively. The average content of Selenium was, respectively 0.30 ± 0.01 mg/kg, 0.65 ± 0.01 mg/kg, and 0.76 ± 0.004 mg/kg for edible eggs and incubation eggs from poultry of egg and meat direction.
 The monitoring results suggest that the transfer of nutrients from feed to eggs depends not only on the availability of a sufficient amount of them in the feed, but also on the degree of assimilation and use in the metabolism of the bird's body.

Вміст інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1 та есенціальних мікроелементів у плазмі крові в дітей із різними формами низькорослості

Вивчено вміст інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1 та есенціальних мікроелементів (цинк, селен, мідь, марганець, хром) у плазмі крові в дітей із низькорослістю залежно від етіології захворювання. Установлено наявність суттєвого дисбалансу есенціальних мікроелементів у пацієнтів із низькорослістю, перш за все обумовленою дефіцитом гормону росту та інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1. Виявлено вірогідно слабкий кореляційний зв’язок між показниками інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1 та середнім рівнем цинку в плазмі крові дітей із низькорослістю загалом по групі. У той же час у дітей з ізольованою соматотропною недостатністю, повною або частковою, виявлено вірогідно сильний кореляційний зв’язок між показниками інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1 та цинку в плазмі крові. Кореляційного зв’язку між показниками інсуліноподібного фактора росту 1 у плазмі крові та показниками селену, марганцю, хрому, міді в плазмі крові не встановлено.

724 Does Zinc Deficiency in IBD Predispose Patients to Repeat C. difficile Infection?

INTRODUCTION: Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States. CDI is more common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease with a greater risk in ulcerative colitis patients compared to Crohn's disease patients. Recent literature revealed an association between decreased zinc levels and CDI via the activation of Th17 cells through the STAT3 pathway. We aimed to investigate the relationship of Zinc levels with the risk of recurrent CDI in IBD patients. METHODS: We performed an IRB retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18-75 with a history of IBD and a positive Clostridium Difficile PCR between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 at a tertiary care center. A second CDI diagnosis within 3 months of the first was defined as recurrent CDI (rCDI). A second diagnosis after 3 months, but within 3 years of the first diagnosis was defined as reinfection. All charts were reviewed for zinc level testing at the time of any CDI. The primary outcome was zinc level at the time of primary diagnosis. This was also broken down by type of IBD. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the primary and secondary outcomes using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Of 121 patients with IBD and a positive C. difficile PCR, 23 patients had a zinc level tested. The average Zinc level among patients with only one CDI episode was 0.66, while it was 0.62 for rCDI and 0.62 for CDI reinfection. Of the 23 patients with a zinc level, 12 had Crohn's disease and 11 had Ulcerative Colitis. Only three Crohn's patients had one C difficile infection, four had rCDI, and six had C. difficile reinfection with average zinc levels of 0.66, 0.64, and 0.54 respectively. No ulcerative colitis patients only had a primary infection. The six UC patients with rCDI had an average zinc level of 0.64, while those with C. difficilereinfection had an average level of 0.72. CONCLUSION: While the sample size of this study was small, there is a trend for patients with Crohn's disease to have lower zinc levels if they have CDI reinfection compared to primary and rCDI. This could be explained by a sustained increase in the activation of Th17 cells via the STAT3 pathway in Crohn's patients with lower zinc levels. However, the patients with ulcerative colitis in this study did not have a tendency to have lower zinc levels suggesting that a different mechanism may be at play. Further investigation of this relationship in a larger study is required.

Decreasing Zinc Levels in Stunting Toddlers in Lampung Province, Indonesia

Stunting is a condition of chronic malnutrition in children that causes the posture is not optimal and triggers other disorders such as deacreasing of immunity and intelligence. The level of adequacy of zinc is one of the factors that influence the incidence of stunting. Zinc is needed to activate and begin the synthesis of Growth Hormone (GH) so that children with zinc deficiency cause GH receptors to be disrupted and GH production to be resistant. This study aims to examine the decrease in zinc levels by looking at the difference in mean zinc levels in stunting and non-stunting toddlers. The research method was carried out observational analytic with a cross sectional approach used in this study. The study sample was 40 toddlers aged 24-60 months with 18 stunting toddlers and 22 non-stunting toddlers in Gunung Sugih District, Central Lampung Regency. The results of univariate analysis revealed that the average zinc level of toddlers serum was 52.60 ug / dl with the largest value of 76 ug / dl and the lowest value was 24 ug / dl. The results of bivariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the mean zinc levels of stunting and non-stunting children (p = 0.01). The mean zinc content of stunting infants was 45.06 ± 12.21 lower than the mean zinc level of non-stunting infants 58.77 ± 12.98. There is a decrease in serum zinc levels in stunting toddlers compared to non stunting toddlers.

Differences of Zinc and Copper Levels In Placenta Blood Normal Neonates and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Zink and copper are the micronutrients which play a role in the growth and development of fetal and infant. Its deficiency in pregnant women shall give a birth the restriction fetal growth 16,11. This research is proposed to distinguish zinc and copper levels in normal neonates and those restriction fetal growth.The research was conducted with a comparative cross sectional analysis, experienced by three hospitals those are TK III Reksodiwirjo Hospital, Dr. Rasidin Hospital, and Bayangkara Hospital in the city of Padang. It also conducted in the SMAK Padang Chemistry Laboratory in November 2016 - January 2018. The research sample was taken from newborn blood centers for 60 respondents by consecutive sampling. Zinc and copper levels were examined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Hypothesis testing was done by unpaired t testing.The results showed the average zinc level in restriction fetal growth group was 89.34 ± 31.53 µg / dL and normal neonates were 122.703 ± 39.3 µg / dL with p = 0.01. The mean copper content in the restriction fetal growth group was 0.5142 ± 0.15 µg / dL and the normal neonate was 0.6892 ± 0.17 µg / dL with p <0.01The conclusion of this research is zinc and copper levels in normal neonates were significantly higher than neonatal zinc and copper levels restriction fetal growth.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ЦИНКСОДЕРЖАЩИХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ В КОМПЛЕКСНОМ ЛЕЧЕНИИ БОЛЬНЫХ КРАСНЫМ ПЛОСКИМ ЛИШАЕМ СЛИЗИСТОЙ ОБОЛОЧКИ РТА

The summary The study was aimed at providing rationale for the use of zinc-containing drugs when treating patients with lichen planus of the oral mucosa. For the research purposes, 221 patients with lichen planus of the oral mucosa aged 27 to 84 were subject to clinical, laboratory examination and treatment, there being 6 groups of patients depending on the clinical form of the disease. The traditional general therapy was supplemented by a combined multivitamin preparation «Duovit» (KRKA, dd (Slovenia). In order to administer local therapy an original pharmacological composition, containing siliconzincorganic glycerohydrogel (as its base) and active food supplement aminocaproic acid, fenistil, ketoprofen, was developed and applied A high clinical efficiency of zinc-containing medicines when treating of patients with lichen planus of the oral mucosa was established as long as a confirmed increase in the average level of zinc in serum and oral fluid confirmed, which proves the reasonability of using zinc-containing drugs.

Knockdown of Zinc Transporter ZIP5 by RNA Interference Inhibits Esophageal Cancer Growth In Vivo.

We recently found that SLC39A5 (ZIP5), a zinc transporter, is overexpressed in esophageal cancer. Downregulation of ZIP5 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the esophageal cancer cell line KYSE170 in vitro. In this study, we found that downregulation of SLC39A5 (ZIP5) by interference resulted in a significant reduction in esophageal cancer tumor volume and weight in vivo. COX2 (cyclooxygenase 2) expression was decreased and E-cadherin expression was increased in the KYSE170K xenografts, which was caused by the downregulation of ZIP5. However, we did not find that the downregulation of ZIP5 caused a change in the relative expressions of cyclin D1, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), MMP9 (matrix metalloprotein 9), and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma/leukmia-2) mRNA or an alteration in the average level of zinc in the peripheral blood and xenografts in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that knocking down ZIP5 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) might be a novel treatment strategy for esophageal cancer with ZIP5 overexpression.

Тhe content of essential microelements in growth retarded children organism, depending on the short stature degree

Children and teenagers short stature is associated with significant imbalance of essential microelements, in particular, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium, and Copper.Aim of research: a complex study of essential microelements content in children organism suffering from short stature, determination of the possible influence of essential microelements deficits on growth retardation degree.Materials and methods. 240 patients were examined: 166 boys (69.2 %) and 74 girls (30.8 %) aged 3 to 18 years (the average age was 9.65±0.17 years). 206 children and teenagers with different forms of short stature were among them: 144 boys (69.9 %) and 62 girls (30.1 %) with the average age 10.06±0.2 years. All short statured patients were divided into three groups depending on growth retardation degree. The content of microelements in hair was determined by X-Ray fluorescence method using «ElvaX–med» (Ukraine) spectrometer and method for determination of chemical elements mass fraction in hair (МВВ 081/12–450200 method), certified by Ukrainian State Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification (Certificate from June, 14, 2007) and proved by the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Ukraine (Resolution №19 from December, 09, 2008). The content of microelements (Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium, and Copper) in blood plasma was determined by X-Ray fluorescence method using «ElvaX–med» (Ukraine) spectrometer using method of chemical elements measurement in plasma (МВВ 081/12-0468-07), certified by Ukrainian State Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification (Certificate from October, 12, 2007) and proved by the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Ukraine (Resolution №8 from October, 05, 2000).Results. A clear correlation between the growth retardation degree and Zinc content in hair of growth retarded children – with an increase of growth retardation the average level of Zinc in hair of growth retarded children significantly decreases. Any significant difference between the Selenium content in both hair and blood plasma in patients with short stature and different degrees of growth retardation wasn’t found. Considerable reduction of Chromium level in hair and plasma of all patients with short stature comparing with the control group independently of growth retardation degree was found, but any difference between Chromium level indexes in hair of patients with different degrees of growth retardation wasn’t determined. Considerable reduction of Copper level in plasma comparing with the control indexes was determined in children with growth retardation ≥2 SD; any significant difference between indexes depending on growth retardation degree wasn’t determined; the lowest indexes of the Copper content in hair were found at growth retardation ≥3 SD. Manganese level in plasma significantly (but not considerably) is reduced in patients with growth retardation ≥2 SD comparing with patients with growth retardation less than 2 SD, and significantly reduced in relation to the control indexes.Conclusion. Essential microelements imbalance was determined in most short statured patients. The most significant misbalance of was found in Zinc indexes in hair of patients

De Novo Anemia and Relationship with Vitamin C Deficiency and Zinc Deficiency in a Southern Delaware Population, a Retrospective Analysis

Background:Vitamin C is an essential dietary nutrient. It is a water soluble vitamin that exists in the body primarily in the reduced form Ascorbic acid. It's deficiency leads to a disease called Scurvy which is rare in developed countries. The relationship between anemia, Iron deficiency and Vitamin C deficiency is not clear and not evidence-based although many hematologists recommend Vitamin C intake to help Iron absorption.Method:We reviewed the data from a single institution where cases of de novo anemia underwent diagnostic workup. The study was approved by the hospital IRB and it was a retrospective analysis of data from October 2007 through July 2014. In addition to checking patient's CBC, iron studies, ferritin, b12, folic acid all patients (pts) went through testing for Vitamin C, Copper and Zinc. All reference labs were send to Mayo medical laboratories for consistency and standardization. Vitamin C level was determined by a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HLPC) and samples were collected after a 12-14 hour fasting-overnight. The normal range for Vitamin C is 0.6-2.0 mg/dL. We divided patients into 5 categories Severe deficiency (<0.1 mg/dL), Moderate deficiency (0.1-0.3 mg/dL), Mild deficiency (0.4-0.6 mg/dL), Low normal or Borderline values (0.7-0.8 mg/dL) and Normal results (0.9-2.0 mg/dL).Results: Of the 482 pts with de novo anemia tested, 273 subjects were found to have a Vitamin C deficiency (56.6% of population). Of those 30 pts (10.9%) had severe Vit C deficiency, 96 (35.1%) had moderate deficiency, 84 (30.7%) mild deficiency and 63 (23%) had low normal or borderline values and 209 (43.3%) had normal results. In pts with Vitamin C deficiency, iron studies indicated a serum iron saturation below 20% (range 20-50%) in 115 out of 212 subjects tested giving an incidence of 54.2%. Pts who had Vitamin C deficiency about 212 of those pts were tested for zinc levels and 103 pts (48.5%) were found to have Zinc deficiency that's value below 0.66 mcg/ml (Normal range being 0.66-1.1 mcg/ml). Of the group with severe Vitamin C deficiency or undetectable levels (30 pts), average hemoglobin for that group was 8.8 gm/dl range being 11.3-15.5 (CI 5.5-14.9), average iron saturation was 31% range (20-50%)(CI 3-92%), average Zinc levels were 0.49 mcg/ml range 0.66-1.1 (CI 0.19-0.79) average copper value 1.26 mcg/ml range 0.75-1.45 mcg/ml (CI 0.77-1.74), average Ferritin value 1048 ng/ml range 22-322 ng/ml (CI 13.8-5621). This means that in pts with severe anemia and severe vitamin C deficiency we see a profile where 77% pts also present with Zinc deficiency, their copper values are normal, iron saturation is normal but Ferritin which is a marker of inflammation is elevated (66.6%). Taking all of Vitamin C deficiency cases in our study(#273) the average age of females was 57.35 years (CI 15-97) 67.3% of study group & average age for males was 59.61 years (CI 25-90) which is 32.7%Pts who were found to have Vitamin C deficiency were given Vitamin C tablet 500 mg orally daily and if they have Zinc deficiency also supplemented with Zinc 50 mg orally daily. We have data on 67 of those 212 pts who had significant C deficiency (severe, moderate or mild). The average improvement in Vitamin C level for the group was 0.43 mg with average hemoglobin improvement of 0.96 gm.Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency appears to play an important role in pathogenesis of nutritional anemia and it's incidence was more common than any other identifiable cause in our group. It can present as anemia regardless of the iron status and there appears to be a very strong correlation between Vit C deficiency and Zinc deficiency in patients with anemia. It also causes an Inflammatory response with elevation of Ferritin. Diet appears to play a major role in this type of anemia regardless of the body habitus. Malabsorption of Vitamin C and Zinc can be a reason as well. It is more common in females. Patients may or may not have other signs and symptoms of scurvy but in our population gum disease, bone pain, impaired wound healing and some degree of psychosis and mood disorder (scorbutic psychosis) was common. We believe that Vitamin C Deficiency is very common and under recognized cause of anemia. The exact pathophysiology needs to be established. Further studies need to be done to validate this important clinical finding but we recommend adding a fasting Vitamin C level and Zinc level as part of de novo anemia workup. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Effects of substances on serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women.

Demographic facts and forecasts about lengthening life expectancy motivate to systematize the knowledge of health problems experienced by women at the age of 50 and older. It refers to the whole health policy including health economics. Longer female life spans cause that an increasing number of women suffer from health problems associated with the perimenopausal period, and become health care recipients. Also a shift of retirement age is the reason to take interdisciplinary actions for women's health and quality of life. This study describes a decline in the levels of many bioelements in hair, urine and blood serum, which progresses with age. It not only correlates with a decrease in the synthesis and secretion of estrogen, but also environmental pollution, unhealthy lifestyle and the use of substances. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women and such variables as the use of substances (cigarettes, alcohol) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Material and method: The study was conducted among 152 healthy women being 1-16 years after menopause. The women were divided into study group (MHT users) and control group (MHT non-users). A sub-division criterion was the use of substances (cigarettes, alcohol). Serum zinc levels were determined in all women. Results: The use of substances significantly contributed to the lowering of serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women. MHT users had statistically higher average zinc levels in blood serum, which referred both to smokers and consumers of alcohol and those who did not use these substances. (1) The use-of substances (cigarettes, alcohol) contributes to the lowering of zinc levels in blood serum. (2) MHT positively affects serum zinc levels in postmenopausal women regardless of whether they use substances (cigarettes, alcohol) or not.

Feasibility of Breast Cancer Screening by PIXE Analysis of Hair

To reveal the role of key elements present in the hair of breast cancer patients on cancer development, the levels of a number of elements in scalp hair samples of 82 people including healthy individuals, people suffering from benign breast disease, and breast cancer patients were measured by PIXE analysis. Pellets of hair samples were prepared and bombarded by 2.2MeV proton beam of a 3-MV Van de Graaff accelerator. The number of incident ions hitting the sample was indirectly measured using the RBS spectrum of a thin Ag film placed in the beam path. The concentrations of S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, and Cu in the hair of healthy individuals were in agreement with those observed in the hair of hyperplasia and cancer patients within standard deviations. However, a lower average level of zinc was found in samples from hyperplasia and breast cancer patients. Strong positive correlations were found between iron and potassium as well as between calcium and potassium in the cancer patients. These results could be of significance in the screening for breast cancer.

The effects of additional organic copper and organic zinc trace minerals on accumulation and elimination levels in female kids

Bu çalışma, NRC (12) tarafından keçiler için önerilen düzeylerin %25’i oranında azaltılarak rasyona eklenen organik yapıdaki bakır (Cu) ve çinko (Zn) minerallerinin serum ve kıldaki mineral birikim düzeyi ile dışkıda atılan mineral düzeyine etkisini değerlendirmek için yapıldı. Oğlaklar biri organik (deneme, n=12) ve diğeri inorganik (kontrol, n=12) bakır ve çinko minerallerini içeren rasyon verilen iki gruba ayrıldı. Deneme grubuna 5.25 mg/kg KM bakır-şelat (2-hydroxy–4-methylthiobutyrate) ve 15 mg/kg KM çinko-şelat (2-hydroxy–4-methylthiobutyrate), kontrol grubuna ise 7 mg/kg KM bakır-sülfat, 20 mg/kg KM çinko-sülfat verildi. Deneme sonunda her iki grubun serum bakır ve serum çinko ile kıl bakır ve kıl çinko ortalama değerlerinin deneme başına göre daha yüksek düzeyde olduğu, ancak ortalama değerler arasındaki farkın istatistiksel açıdan önemli olmadığı belirlendi. Serum bakır ve serum çinko ile kıl bakır ortalama değerlerinin deneme grubunda, kıl çinko ortalama değerinin ise kontrol grubunda rakamsal olarak daha yüksek düzeyde olduğu saptandı. Dışkı bakır ve dışkı çinko ortalama düzeylerinin deneme grubunda kontrol grubuna göre önemli oranda (P<0.001) düşük olduğu belirlendi. Organik bakır ve organik çinkonun oğlak rasyonunda %25 oranında daha düşük düzeyde kullanılmalarına rağmen inorganik bakır ve inorganik çinko ile benzer ve dışkıda daha düşük bir sonuç ortaya koydukları saptanmıştır

Research on zinc blood levels and nutritional status in adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis

Zinc deficiency in children and adolescents impairs their growing, development and immune system. To verify the existence of plasma and leukocyte zinc deficiency in adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis. The study comprised 23 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, aged 10-18 years, assisted at the Ambulatory Service of Pediatric Hepatology of the University of Campinas Teaching Hospital, Campinas, SP, Brazil, and adolescents with ages compatible with the patients' ages comprised the control group. Sample of blood in both groups was collected for the analyses of plasma zinc and leukocyte zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, beyond the nutritional status was evaluated in each adolescent. The following statistical tests were used: Mann-Whitney, Spearman's correlation and interclass concordance analysis. The significance level adopted was 5%. The average zinc level in plasma in patients was 71.91 ± 11.79 µg/dL and, in the control group, it was 80.74 ± 10.92 µg/dL, showing a significant difference (P = 0.04). The leukocyte zinc level in patients was 222.33 ± 166.13 pmol/10⁶ cells and, in the control group, it was 226.64 ± 217.81 pmol/10⁶ cells; there was no statistical significance between them (P = 0.45). The evaluation of the nutritional status showed that eutrophy is prevalent in patients, and they presented a higher body fat value than the control group, with a significant difference. More research is needed with adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis regarding levels of essential micronutrients, such as zinc, because a good nutritional status can improve the prognostic of liver disease.

Prime Australian lamb supplies key nutrients for human health

This study investigated genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acid levels of fresh lamb meat. Results from the 2007 progeny of the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre Information Nucleus flock, ~2000 lambs, are presented here. The average level of iron and zinc in lamb muscle was 2.05 and 2.31 mg/100 g, respectively. The iron level was 103% of that required to claim lamb as a ‘good source’ of iron for men of all ages and women older than 50 years, and the average level of zinc was 116% of that required to claim lamb as a ‘good source’ of zinc for women, but was insufficient for a ‘good source’ claim for men. The iron and zinc content of muscle were affected (P &lt; 0.001) by age at slaughter, sex, site at which the lambs were reared, and sire (independent of breed). Lambs from all sites reached the ‘source’ claim for iron for all adults and lambs from all sites, expect lambs from the Cowra and Hamilton sites, had greater iron levels than that required for a ‘good source’ claim for men and women over 50 years old. For zinc, all sites reached the ‘source’ and ‘good source’ claim for men and women, respectively. The major sources of variation in omega-3 fatty acid levels were site and kill group within site (P &lt; 0.001), most likely reflecting nutritional differences associated with the availability of green feed. The eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid values for all sites indicated that lambs from the Cowra, Rutherglen and Struan sites had adequate levels for a ‘source’ claim of omega-3. The overall average level of eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid in lamb meat was 23.5 mg/100 g, which is higher than the level required to claim lamb as a ‘source’ of omega-3. The effect of sire on omega-3 fatty acid level was small, but statistically significant (P &lt; 0.001). These results confirm that lamb can represent a ‘source’ or ‘good source’ of these nutrients.

Pemberian suplemen seng sulfat dan pengaruhnya terhadap kadar seng serum dan jumlah CD4+ pada wanita usia lanjut sehat

Background: Aging is a natural process which happens to all living creatures. Aging is followed by declining physiological function. Elderly is a risk factor of micronutrient deficiency including zinc which has an important role in the immune system. This condition causes declining cellular immunity functions through reduced amount of CD4 .Objective: To identify the effect of zinc sulphate supply to serum zinc level and amount of CD4 among the elderly.Method: The study used clinical test research design, one group pre-post test design (before and after trial). Subject of the study were “healthy” elderly individuals of more than 60 years old, willing to be studied. Assessment on nutritional status, physical examination and zinc level were made to the subjects. Next, subjects were supplied with 15 mg of zinc supplement once a day for 28 days. Then, re-examination was made to identify zinc level and the amount of CD4 lymphocyte. Statistical analysis used paired t-test.Results: Average age of the elderly observed (n = 30) was 64.43 ± 3.10 years. Average zinc level before the study was 5.85 ± 1.95 μmol/L, as many as 26 subjects (86%) had zinc under normal level, 4 subjects (14%) had normal zinc level + + + and no subject had zinc above normal level. Zinc level at the end of the study increased in as many as 27 subjects (90%) with average as 4.54 ± 3.84 μmol/L (p &lt; 0.001). The amount of CD4 lymphocyte increased in 11 subjects (36%) with + average increase 26.83 ± 137.46 (/mm) (p = 0.29). Factors affecting increase of CD4 lymphocyte were age, weight, score of mini nutritional assessment and upper arm circle, and preliminary zinc level.Conclusion: The supply of 15 mg zinc for 28 days among the elderly could elevate serum zinc level significantly and could increase the amount of CD4 lymphocyte only in 11 subjects (36%).

Association Between Copper Excess, Zinc Deficiency, and TP53 Mutations in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma From Kashmir Valley, India—A High Risk Area

Trace element deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression in some cancers. Here we report the elevated level of copper and low level of zinc in the plasma of esophageal cancer patients in Kashmir India—a high incidence area. The average level of copper was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for patients than for controls, with a mean concentration of 169 μg/dl and 149 μg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The control group consisted of 55 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, and place of residence of the patients. In contrast, the average level of zinc in patients was significantly lower than in controls (P < 0.0001), with a mean concentration of 86.8 μg/dl and 96.1 μg/dl for patients and controls, respectively. The levels of both copper and zinc showed significant differences based on gender and age in patients as compared to controls. Similarly, smokers depicted a significant increase in serum copper (N = 39, P = 0.002) and a decrease in serum zinc approaching level of significance in the patient group as compared to controls. The copper and zinc levels were significantly altered in patients (N = 40) when compared to controls as a function of snuff consumption. The differences in the levels of copper and zinc showed significant association with the consumption of local salted tea up to 1,500 ml per day, but the changes were insignificant beyond that. Patients with poorly differentiated tumors (N = 7) had a higher copper concentration than those with moderately or well-differentiated tumors (P < 0.0001). To validate the general notion that imbalance in copper and zinc levels may lead to higher prevalence of TP53 mutations, we compared the 3 variables, and no association was found between copper concentration and TP53 mutation status; but patients with TP53 mutant tumor had lower zinc levels than those with no mutation. In conclusion, our results point toward a role of the trace element imbalance in the esophageal tumorigenesis in high-risk Kashmiri population exposed to a range of nitroso compounds or their precursors. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to determine whether change in the plasma zinc and copper homeostasis may represent an independent risk factor for this malignancy as well as a possible target for preventive intervention.