Higher Serum Zn Research Articles

The association of serum toxic metals and essential elements during early pregnancy with body mass index trajectory of infants during the first years: A prospective study

To the best of our knowledge, prior research has yet to delve into the combined and interactive relationships between maternal exposure to essential elements and toxic metals and infancy’s continuous growth and trajectories. This study aims to discern infant growth trajectories in the first year of life and to determine the associations of maternal serum levels of essential elements and toxic metals with growth trajectory. Within a Chinese prospective cohort in 2019 − 2021, 407 mother−infant pairs were included, and the serum levels of five essential elements (zinc, calcium, copper, magnesium and iron) and two toxic metals (cadmium and lead) in early pregnancy were assessed. The growth trajectory of infants was followed until age one year. Raw BMI and height values were transformed to age- and sex-specific BMI and height standard deviation (SD) scores. Latent-class group-based trajectory models and piecewise linear mixed regression were estimated to determine infant growth trajectories and growth velocity, respectively. The individual relationship between maternal metallic element levels and infant growth trajectory was examined using multinomial logistic regression models and linear mixed regression, while joint associations and interactive relationships were explored using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) following confounder adjustments. Four distinct trajectory patterns based on BMI-z score (low-rapid BMI gain group, normal-stable BMI group, very low-rapid BMI gain group and normal-rapid BMI gain group) and length-for-age (high-stable length group, low-stable length group, normal-rapid length gain group, very low-rapid length gain group) were identified during the first year post-birth, respectively. In single-metal and multiple-metal models, infants born to mothers with higher serum Zn and lower serum Cu levels were associated with a normal-rapid BMI gain trajectory during the first year. Serum Cu exhibited a positive correlation with the rate of BMI change solely in infants aged 6–12 months. Further, the BKMR analysis revealed a statistically significant and negative joint effect of the five essential elements on the likelihood of normal-rapid BMI/length gain trajectory when serum levels of these elements fell below the 70th percentile compared to median levels. In addition, high levels of serum copper and calcium interactively affect the rates of BMI change during 6–12 months old (β: −0.21, 95% CI: −0.44, −0.03, P = 0.04, P-interaction=0.04). In conclusion, maternal trace elements at early pregnancy are linked to infant growth patterns and growth velocity in the first year of life.

Associations of serum zinc, copper, and selenium with sleep disorders in the American adults: Data from NHANES 2011–2016

BackgroundEven though various studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between trace metals and sleep, few epidemiological studies have evaluated the relationship between trace metals and sleep disorders in American adults. ObjectiveThis study intended to evaluate the associations of serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), Zn/Cu, Zn/Se, and Cu/Se ratios with sleep disorders in American adults. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3660 adults aged ≥18 years old who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2016. Binary logistic regression was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of either serum trace metals or serum trace metals ratios with risks among sleep disorder phenotypes. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was additionally utilized to check the dose-response relationships between serum trace metals, serum trace metals ratios, and sleep disorders. ResultsLogistic regression demonstrated that higher serum Zn (OR: 0.70, 95 % CI: 0.51–0.97, p = 0.035), Zn/Cu (OR: 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.45–0.87, p = 0.007), and Zn/Se (OR: 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.49–0.95, p = 0.025) were related to a decreased likelihood of self-reported sleep disorders, and dose-response relationships were detected by the RCS models, after adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics. No associations between serum Cu, Se, Cu/Se, and sleep disorders were observed. The findings in the sensitivity analyses were consistent with these results. ConclusionOur study revealed that serum Zn, Zn/Cu, and Zn/Se were inversely associated with the risk of self-reported sleep disorders in US adults.

Prenatal Zinc Supplementation of Zinc-Adequate Rats Adversely Affects Immunity in Offspring

AbstractWe previously showed that zinc (Zn) supplementation of Zn-adequate dams induced immunosuppressive effects that persist in the offspring after weaning. We investigated whether the immunosuppressive effects were due to in utero exposure and/or mediated via milk using a cross-fostering design. Pregnant rats with adequate Zn nutriture were supplemented with either Zn (1.5 mg Zn in 10% sucrose) or placebo (10% sucrose) during pregnancy (3 times/wk).At postnatal d 3, 4 pups of Zn-supplemented dams (Zn-P) were exchanged with 4 of placebo-supplemented dams (P-Zn).The remaining pups continued with their biological mothers (Zn-Zn and P-P). Pups were orally immunized with dini trophenol ovalbumin-BSA and/or cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), and serum Zn concentrations and cellular and humoral responses were assessed. Pups of Zn-supplemented dams had higher serum Zn when fostered either by placebo- or Zn-supplemented dams compared to pups of placebo-supplemented dams (P < 0.01). Postnatal Zn exposure reduced the number of Peyer's patches in both the Zn-Zn and P-Zn groups (P < 0.01). Prenatal Zn exposure suppressed CTB- (P = 0.05)and BSA-specific proliferation response of Peyer's Patch lymphocytes (P = 0.07). Prenatal Zn exposure effects on the splenocyte cytokine response were differently influenced by fostering mothers Zn status. Antigen presenting cell (APC)activity of splenocytes was lower in the Zn-Zn group than in the P-P group (P < 0.08). In conclusion, prenatal Zn exposure increases serum Zn levels in pups and suppresses antigen-specific proliferation and antibody responses and APC function, whereas postnatal exposure may suppress the mucosal immune reservoir.

Combined effects of serum trace metals and polymorphisms of CYP1A1 or GSTM1 on non-small cell lung cancer: A hospital based case–control study in China

Introduction: The limited information for effects of serum trace elements and genetic polymorphisms on lung cancer is available. Based on a hospital based case–control study, the epidemiological questionnaires were completed by face to face interview, and the gene polymorphisms were tested by RFLP–PCR, and serum trace metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and the data was analyzed by the logistic regressive models. Results: The high serum copper level (>1500 ng/ml) or serum copper/zinc ratio (>1) was the risk factors of NSCLC (OR = 3.10, 11.03, respectively), but the ORs of the higher serum Zn (>1200 ng/ml), Se (>50 ng/ml) or Cr 3+ (>600 ng/ml) for NSCLC were all significantly less than 0.20 (all p < 0.01) indicating strong protection against NSCLC. While the OR of CYP 1A1 variants carriers with a higher serum Cu or Cu/Zn ratio level was around 3.38 and 12.59, respectively, the risk of CYP1A1 variants carriers with a higher serum Zn is 0.18, Se 0.04 or Cr 3+ 0.28. Similarly, compared with the carriers of GSTM1 power with a lower serum Zn, Se or Cr 3+, the OR of the carriers of GSTM1 null with a higher serum Zn, Se and Cr 3+ was separately 0.16, 0.07 and 0.26, highlighting the protection against NSCLC. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that CYP1A1 or GSTM1 variants may significantly modify the associations between level of serum trace metals (Cu, Zn, Se or Cr) and NSCLC, indicating the intriguing pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Antihypertensive effect of Cu and Mg enriched modified poultry egg Ψ on Zn-induced hypertension in Wistar rat

Excessive bioavailability of Zn either due to genetic predisposition or its high concentration in diet has been linked to increase in the prevalence of hypertension (HT) implicating the resultant deficiencies of Cu and Mg as its cause in some populations. To combat their nutritional deficiencies, a modified poultry egg (ME(Psi)) was designed containing higher amounts of Cu, Mg and other antioxidants (vitamin E and linolenic acid) in their optimized concentrations. Prior to its human clinical trials, its efficacy was tested in Zn induced HT Wistar rat model in the present study. In one set, the rats were fed on equicaloric semi-synthetic basal diet containing 20 mg Zn/kg diet (control diet-I, control group-I), Zn-induced-hypertensive-diets-II and III (Zn-HT-diet-II and Zn-HT-diet-III) containing 40 and 80 mg Zn/kg diet (groups-II and III) for 180 days. In another set, the rats were initially fed Zn-HT-diet-II and Zn-HT-diet-III for 90 days and then shifted to ME(Psi) mixed Zn-HT-diet-II and III designated as groups-IIME and IIIME fed for another 90 days completing 180 days of feeding. The results revealed that increase in systolic pressure (SP) and heart rates (HR) were Zn concentration dependent and coincided well with higher serum Zn, Cu, Mg, aldosterone, cortisol, dyslipidemia and higher Zn, and low Cu and Mg concentrations in liver of groups-II and III rats. On feeding ME(Psi) mixed diets, a significant reduction in SP and HR were linked with decrease in serum Zn, Cu, Mg, aldosterone, cortisol and blood lipid profile along with fall in Zn and rise in Cu and Mg concentrations in liver of groups-IIME and IIIME approaching closer to control group-I. This study makes the basis for human clinical trials of ME(Psi) on HT patients who exhibit high Zn, Cu and Mg in their blood serum.

Serum Zinc in Healthy Belgian Children

Many reports mention marginal zinc status in childhood. Information on serum zinc (Zn) in Belgian children since the last reports are old and feeding habits are changing. Four hundred fifty-seven healthy children (0-14 yr, 262 boys) had a venipuncture after an overnight fast during a vaccination campaign. Serum Zn, alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Apo A, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determinated. The median Zn value is lower in infants than in older children (respectively 11.6 micromol/L vs 12.8 micromol/L). The type of infant feeding does not influence the serum Zn concentrations (breast-feeding, adapted, hypoallergenic, soy, or thickened). No children had increased serum MDA concentrations and the value is not influenced by the Zn concentration. Children presenting higher serum Zn values also have significantly higher serum alpha-T levels. In infants, there is a significant positive correlation between serum Zn and cholesterol, LDL-C, and Apo B. In this apparently healthy population, no signs of abnormal in vivo peroxidation of fatty acids are observed, even in the children with low serum Zn. More sensitive methods for the detection of peroxidation are necessary for determination of in vivo effects of marginal trace element status.

Serum zinc, copper, insulin and lipids in Alzheimer's disease epsilon 4 apolipoprotein E allele carriers.

Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) have been implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, in this regard, Cu and Zn serum concentrations have been analysed but with inconclusive results. Serum insulin, glucose and cholesterol concentrations have been related to the apolipoprotein E genotype in non-AD populations. In this study, we have analysed the relationship between serum Cu, Zn, insulin, glucose and lipid parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, apoA and apoB apolipoproteins) in AD and AD epsilon 4 apolipoprotein E carriers by multivariate analysis using logistic regression, including the variables that showed a significance of P < 0.05 in the bivariate analysis. The results obtained show that epsilon 4 apoE allele is an independent AD risk factor (OR = 6. 67, 95% CI = 2.59-17.16). In AD epsilon 4 apoE allele carriers, we found significantly higher Zn, Cu and insulin serum concentrations. Non-demented control subjects with at least one epsilon 4 apoE allele had the lowest serum insulin concentrations. There was no significant association between epsilon 4 apolipoprotein E allele and lipid parameters in the sample studied. In AD we have found a significant association between higher serum Zn, Cu and insulin concentrations and the presence of an epsilon 4 apoE allele, but only greater serum Zn concentration appears to be an independent risk factor associated with the development of AD.

Copper and zinc status in moderate alcohol intake.

To determine the effects of moderate alcohol (ETOH) consumption on dietary intakes, serum and urine zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations (conc), groups of nonsmoking, moderate drinkers, non-athletes, healthy young adult males aged 21-35 years and within 10% of ideal body weight, consumed 40g of ETOH/day as beer (fixed group) or maintained normal drinking habits (variable group) for 6 weeks, and then abstained for 3 weeks. A similarly described group of non-alcohol drinkers served as the control. There was no alcohol effect on dietary Zn or Cu intakes, however, the control group had significantly higher intakes of Zn than the drinking groups. Cu intakes were the same in all groups. Generally, the serum Zn and Cu conc of the drinking groups only, markedly rose during ETOH consumption and fell during abstention. Although this trend was not observed in the control group, they had higher serum Zn and Cu conc than the drinking groups. In general, urine Zn conc remained constant from baseline to consumption period and then decreased during the abstention period in all groups studied. Results indicate that moderate ETOH consumption raised serum Zn and Cu conc but had no effect on dietary intakes of these minerals or on urine Zn levels.