Normal Zinc Levels Research Articles

127 Hypocupraemia-induced anaemia, sensory ataxia and cognitive impairment secondary to zinc-containing dental adhesive

A previously fit and well 67 year old male presented with a 5-month history of gradually worsening memory impairment and sensory gait ataxia on the background of recent symptomatic anaemia. He experienced multiple falls and became agitated and socially withdrawn over a 3-week period, resulting in hospital admission. On examination, he had sensory gait ataxia consistent with a dorsal column syndrome. He had a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 13. Serum analysis showed normocytic anaemia and leukopenia, severe hypocupraemia, reduced caeruloplasmin and normal zinc levels. Overuse of zinc- containing denture cream was identified as being a cause of excess zinc ingestion and resultant copper deficiency, leading to blood dyscrasia and myelopathy. The cream was withdrawn and IV copper followed by oral supplementation was implemented. Direct questions with regards to excess zinc in the diet and serological testing of copper and zinc should be considered in any patient with a dorsal column syndrome, particularly with concurrent anaemia. Copper deficiency may also have a role in exacerbat- ing pre-existing cognitive impairment.rnj1e16@soton.ac.uk

IDF21-0124 Relationship between Serum Zinc Status and Diabetic Nephropathy in Algerian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a microvascular complication associated with diabetes that causes the kidneys to slowly deteriorate, leading to end-stage renal disease. Nephropathy associated with diabetes has been attributed to oxidative stress. Chronic zinc deficiency generally results in an increased sensitivity to the effects of oxidative stress. Zinc deficiency is often seen in diabetic patients. This alteration in zinc status appears to be involved in the development of microvascular complications of diabetes. Aim: The objective of this study will be to explore the relationship between zinc status and the progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. Method: The study involved 80 normotensive diabetic patients with positive microalbuminuria and 60 healthy non-diabetic subjects of corresponding age. For all subjects, a serum zinc assay was performed on the ICE 3300 atomic absorption spectrometer from Thermo Fisher, a serum creatinine assay on Cobas 501 from Roche Diagnostic with evaluation of GFR, as well as a microalbuminuria assay. on the DCA Vantage from Siemens. Results: Serum zinc levels were low (p <0.001) in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic control subjects. Elevated levels of microalbuminuria (p <0.001) were observed in diabetic patients with low serum zinc levels compared to those with normal serum zinc levels. Serum zinc level in diabetic patients was inversely correlated with serum creatinine (r = −0.51, p <0.001), microalbuminuria (r = −0.587, p <0.001) and positively with GFR (r = 0.24, p <0.01). Discussion: The results of our study support the observation that diabetes affects zinc status with a significant decrease in serum zinc levels at the onset of diabetic complications. During progression to the stages of diabetic nephropathy, morphological and structural changes occur in the glomerular and basal membrane of the kidneys, hyperfiltration, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. All of these changes will cause albumin with trace metals to leak into the urine. Therefore, the hypozincemia seen in diabetics can be attributed to hyperzincuria. The results of this study are consistent with results reported by others.

Clinical Significance of Serum Zinc Levels on the Development of Sarcopenia in Cirrhotic Patients.

Sarcopenia increases the mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Approximately 60% of zinc is accumulated in skeletal muscle. We aimed to determine the role of subclinical zinc deficiency on sarcopenia development in patients with cirrhosis. We enrolled 151 patients with cirrhosis and divided them into the group with normal serum zinc levels (Group N: 80-130 μg/dl; n=38) and group with subclinical zinc deficiency (Group D: <80 μg/dl; n=113). The risk factors for sarcopenia were then investigated. Group D had more sarcopenia cases than Group N (31.0% vs. 13.2%). In group D, HGS exhibited a weakly positive but significant correlation with serum zinc levels (R=0.287, p=0.00212), serum zinc levels negatively correlated with both ammonia and myostatin levels (R=-0.254, p=0.0078; R=-0.33, p<0.01), and low zinc levels were independently associated with sarcopenia development. Patients with cirrhosis showing subclinical zinc deficiency have a significantly higher risk of developing sarcopenia.

Oral adverse events due to zinc deficiency after pancreaticoduodenectomy requiring continuous intravenous zinc supplementation: a case report and literature review

BackgroundZinc is mainly absorbed in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, which are removed during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Little is known about the adverse oral events and skin disorders caused by zinc deficiency after PD. Herein, we reviewed studies on the development of zinc deficiency after PD and reported about a patient with zinc deficiency after PD who required home intravenous zinc replacement.Case presentationA 73-year-old woman with glossitis, taste disorder, and acrodermatitis enteropathica-like eruption on her fingers presented to the Division of Dentistry and Oral Surgery 69 days after PD. Her serum zinc level markedly decreased to 30 μg/dL. Oral zinc administration was inadequate to treat hypozincemia after PD; therefore, multi-trace elements were injected intravenously during readmission. Her serum zinc levels recovered, and her lesions gradually improved. Furthermore, a central venous port was implanted to maintain normal serum zinc levels, and she continued self-injecting zinc at home.ConclusionsZinc deficiency after PD rarely occurs. The clinical oncologist community, including dentists responsible for the oral care of cancer patients, should be aware of the oral adverse events, such as dysgeusia, glossitis, and oral pain, associated with zinc deficiency after cancer surgery and that induced by chemotherapy or head and neck radiation therapy.

The relationship between zinc deficiency and infectious complications in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency is high in patients with chronic liver disease, but few studies have hitherto explored the relationship between the serum zinc level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to assess the association between zinc deficiency and infectious complications, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Patients with HBV-related ACLF from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed in this study. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system and analysed. The Student's t-test was used for normally distributed continuous variables between two groups and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent parameters. A total of 284 patients were included in this study, including 205 liver cirrhosis and 79 non-cirrhosis patients. The proportion of patients with zinc deficiency was the highest (84.5%), followed by subclinical zinc deficiency (14.1%) and normal zinc level (1.4%). Patients in the zinc deficiency group had a higher MELD score than the subclinical zinc deficiency or normal zinc group (P = 0.021). Age, total bilirubin, and serum zinc level were independent factors for infection (Ps < 0.05). The serum zinc level in patients without complications at admission was significantly higher than that in patients with complications (P = 0.004). Moreover, the serum zinc level in patients with prothrombin time activity (PTA) of <20% was significantly lower than that in patients with 20% ≤ PTA < 30% (P = 0.007) and that in patients with 30% ≤ PTA < 40% (P < 0.001). Zinc deficiency is common in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with infectious complications and MELD score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Zinc has potent immunoregulatory and antiviral effects that are critical for growth, immunity, and neurologic development. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and to demonstrate its association with disease severity. This prospective observational study was conducted between August 3 and November 15, 2020, in pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We defined a control group whose serum zinc levels were determined 1 year ago at the same time as those of patients with COVID-19. We used 70 μg/dL as the cut-off zinc value to define zinc deficiency. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows statistics package program. One hundred children with confirmed COVID-19 and 269 children in the control group participated in the study. The median age was 13.3 (IQR: 8–15.4) years in patients with confirmed COVID-19, 11 patients had low serum zinc levels, and 89 patients had normal serum zinc levels. Patients in the group with low zinc levels had a significantly higher hospitalization rate than the group with normal zinc levels (5 (45.5%) and 10 patients (11.2%), respectively) (p = 0.011). The median serum zinc level in patients with COVID-19 was 88.5 mcg/dL (IQR 77.2–100), which was significantly lower than the median level in the control group, which was 98 mcg/dL (IQR 84–111) (p = 0.001). There was no association between the severity of COVID-19 and the serum zinc levels of the children.Conclusion: Serum zinc levels may be influenced by many factors such as fasting status, diurnal variation, exercise, and sex, and may give an impression of the zinc status of the population rather than reflecting the individual. The fact that the incidence of hospitalization was significantly higher in patients with both COVID-19 and low serum zinc levels suggests that these patients require a detailed assessment of their living environment.What is Known:• Serum zinc levels have been found to be low in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.• There was a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and serum zinc levels in adults.What is New:• Children with low serum zinc levels were found to have a higher number of hospitalizations.• No association was found between the severity of COVID-19 disease and serum zinc levels in children.

TOTAL OF LACTOBACILLUS BIFIDUS IN BREASTFED INFANTS FROM NURSING MOTHERS INTERVENED WITH ZINC

Background: In pregnancy and nursing, zinc plays an important role, including fetal development and milk secretion. Zinc in the lactation process is a crucial modulator of the mammary gland, which is very important for successful lactation. &#x0D; Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the total of Lactobacillus Bifidus using Quantitative RT-PCR in the feces of breastfed infants from mothers who were given zinc tablets.&#x0D; Methods: This type of research was experimental using a quasi-experimental post-test only with a control design and a quantitative approach. This research was carried out at Antang Perumnas Public Health Center, Kassi-Kassi Health Center, Jumpanang Baru Health Center and Bara-Barayya Health center from March 22 to June 22, 2021. The Population in this study were all newborns from mother with normal zinc levels in 2021 in the Makassar City Health Center area as many as 62 people. The sampling technique used purposive sampling, about 12 samples per group. To avoid dropout and increase power, the sample was then added with an estimated drop out of about 30%, 12 + (30% x 12) = 15.6, rounded up to 16. Each group consisted of 16 samples for breastfed infants from mothers who obtained zinc tablets (intervention) and 16 samples for breastfed infants from mothers who did not obtain zinc tablets (control). This study uses an Independent Sample Test.&#x0D; Results: This study showed that the group of breastfed infants from mothers obtaining zinc tablets had a higher mean value of 2947625215.62 compared to the control group of 162374516.97. There was a difference in the number of Lactobacillus in the intervention group after being treated with a statistically significant difference in the mean of –2785250698.65 by the Independent sample test analysis, the value of p = 0.009 (α &lt; 0.05), which means there was a significant difference between the intervention groups and control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: The highest number of Lactobacillus was the intervention group which indicated a difference of Lactobacillus in the feces of breastfed infants from mothers who obtained zinc tablets.

Asupan protein, zink, dan defisiensi zink pada santriwati underweight

Protein intake, zinc intake, and zinc deficiency in underweight female students attending Islamic Boarding School in IndonesiaBackground: One of the nutritional issues in Indonesia is underweight. Groups of teenage girls tend to have underweight especially female students (santriwati) who live far from their parents. It happens due to a lack of macronutrients and micronutrients, zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency impacts are reproductive disorders, stunted growth, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Objective: Analyzing the differences in zinc levels, protein, and zinc intakes between female students with underweight and normal nutritional status. Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design in Askhabul Kahfi Islamic Boarding School with 24 underweight female students selected by consecutive sampling and 24 normal nutritional status female students were selected by matching techniques based on age. Data included nutritional status assessed by BMI for age z-score, protein and zinc intakes assessed by Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, and zinc levels were tested using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The data analyses used Mann-Whitney test. Results: Underweight female students had lower average protein intake than normal nutritional status female students (52.20±25.06 and 75.52±23.19 grams) as well as zinc intake (4.63±1.22 and 7.51±1.94 grams). Protein and zinc intake were significantly different, but the two groups did not differ in zinc levels. All subjects had a normal zinc level of 100%. Conclusions: There was a difference in protein and zinc intake between underweight and normal nutritional female students (p&lt;0.001), while the zinc levels were not found any differences (p=0.773).

The effect of zinc deficiency and iron overload on endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildren with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) suffer from secondary hemosiderosis and the delirious effects this iron overload has on their different body organs, including the pancreas. They are also more prone to develop zinc deficiency than the general pediatric population. This study aimed to determine the effect of zinc deficiency and iron overload on the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in TDT children.MethodsEighty children, already diagnosed with TDT, were included in this study. We assessed the following in the participant children: serum ferritin, serum zinc, endocrine pancreatic function (oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin level and from them, HOMA-IR was calculated), and exocrine pancreatic function (serum lipase and serum amylase).ResultsForty-four TDT children had a subnormal zinc level, while 36 of them had a normal serum zinc level. TDT children with low serum zinc had significantly more impaired endocrine pancreatic function and an abnormally high serum lipase than children with normal serum zinc, p < 0.05 in all. Serum zinc was significantly lower in TDT children with serum ferritin above the ferritin threshold (≥2500 ng/ml) than those below (59.1 ± 20.2 vs. 77.5 ± 28.13), p = 0.02. TDT children, having a serum ferritin ≥2500 ng/ml, had significantly more frequently impaired endocrine pancreatic function and abnormally high serum lipase than TDT children below the ferritin threshold, p < 0.05 in all.ConclusionIn children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia, zinc deficiency aggravates iron-induced pancreatic exocrine and endocrine dysfunction.

Serum magnesium and zinc levels- A predictor of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in haemodialysis patients. Several studies have demonstrated the relation of zinc and magnesium in cardiovascular disease. In present study we aimed to measure serum zinc and magnesium levels and correlate with the Framingham score to calculate the cardiovascular risk.Present study was prospective, cross sectional type, conducted in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis.Serum magnesium, zinc, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, HDL cholesterol, systolic BP are measured and Framingham score was calculated. And zinc and magnesium values were correlated with Framingham score. The study is conducted in 100 CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. Out of 100 CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis, 59% had high risk,28% had intermediate risk, and 13% had low risk of developing cardiovascular disease according to their Framingham risk score. In these patients, zinc and magnesium levels were found and correlated with Framingham risk score. Out of 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis, 37 patients were hypomagnesemic, 43 patients were normomagnesemic, 20 patients were hypermagnesemic. In this, a positive correlation was found between development of hypomagnesemia and duration of hemodialysis. Magnesium level was correlated with Framingham risk score. In this hypomagnesemic patients, 67% patients have low risk, 8% have intermediate risk, 24% patients have high risk of developing heart disease. Out of 100 patients, 86 patients have normal zinc level, 14 patients have increased zinc level. Zinc levels was not altered during dialysis. These patients already have risk of developing heart disease independent of zinc level.In our study, magnesium level of haemodialysis patients was reduced and it is associated with duration of haemodialysis. Zinc levels were not altered in the patients.

Does Serum Zinc Level Affect Severity of Acute Gastroenteritis Among Pre-School Thai Children?

IntroductionAcute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common problem causing significant mortality and morbidity among children. In clinical settings, zinc deficiency leads to diminished resistance to infectious disorders including acute gastroenteritis, especially in the pediatric populations.PurposeThis study aimed to identify the possible effect of body zinc depletion on the severity of acute gastroenteritis among children. The parameters included dehydration status estimated by Modified Vesikari Score (MVS), laboratory findings, amount of intravenous (IV) fluid requirement, need of medications, as well as a clinical course of illness.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study with 107 children 3 months to 5 years old with AGE that were admitted to an inpatient unit. A comparison was made between children with normal (≥80 μg/dL: n=79 cases) and low serum zinc levels (<80 μg/dL, n=28 cases).ResultsThe definite zinc deficiency (<60 μg/dL) was demonstrated only in 3.7% of cases. The severity of dehydration, classified by MVS, reveals a significantly higher increase in children with low serum zinc levels (12.13 ± 2.4 vs 13.14 ± 1.86 points, p < 0.045). Additionally, the children with low serum zinc levels had a significantly higher number of prolonged vomiting episodes more than 24 hours (42.4% vs 72%, p = 0.013) and three cases of post-gastroenteritis complications, which are prolonged fever and persistent diarrhea, were identified only among patients with low zinc levels (p = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference in IV fluid requirement, a need for medications, as well as the duration of hospitalization between the groups.ConclusionA significantly higher dehydration score, which was assessed by MVS, was demonstrated in the participants with low serum zinc levels. Furthermore, the number of children with prolonged vomiting as well as the evidence of post-gastroenteritis complications was also significantly higher in this group.

Extra-Fortification of Zinc Upsets Vitellogenin Gene Expression and Antioxidant Status in Female of Clarias magur brooders.

The present experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of graded level of zinc on Vitellogenin gene (Vtg) expression and antioxidant enzymes in threatened catfish, Clarias magur (C. magur). One hundred and eighty female C. magur with an average weight of 145 ± 5g were allocated in twelve cemented tanks with dimension 4.5 × 2 × 1m for a period of 60days. Fish were distributed in four groups with three replicates following the completely randomised design. The first group treated as control (C) fed with basal diet contained normal zinc level, and remaining groups were fed with basal diets having 50, 200 and 300mg/kg zinc acetate and treated as T1, T2 and T3 respectively. To evaluate the effect of dietary zinc supplementation on Vtg gene expression, three sampling were carried out, I sampling (April, before starting the experimental trail), II sampling (May, after 1month of feeding trail) and III sampling (June before breeding season). In the present study, a dose-dependent relationship between Vtg gene expression and zinc inclusion in the diet of threatened catfish, C. magur, was reported. Vtg gene expression increased in all groups from I sampling to II sampling but the highest Vtg gene expression was found in T1 group and the lowest in T3 group at II sampling. Vtg gene expression among the treatments differs significantly (P < 0.05) in each sampling. Accumulation of zinc was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in C. magur and it was reported that the significantly higher (P < 0.05) zinc was accumulated in the liver and ovary of T3 group as compared to other groups. The antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD, catalase and GST) were also measured in different tissues (liver, gill and ovary) to evaluate the effect of extra-supplementation of zinc on the antioxidant status. In T3 group, SOD, catalase and GST activities were significantly higher than those in other groups. In the current study, serum glucose level was also measured and it was found in increasing trend with inclusion of zinc in the diet of C. magur. In the present study, it can be concluded that the zinc exhibits beneficial effect only up to 50mg/kg. Thus, it is concluded that supplementation of zinc at 200mg/kg or more disrupts Vtg gene expression and antioxidant status.

Laporan Kasus &lt;i&gt;Acrodermatitis Enteropathica &lt;/i&gt;pada Anak 5 Tahun dengan Level Zink Serum Normal

Acrodermatitis enterophatica (AE) is an inherited or acquired condition associated with zinc malabsorption. Clinical symptoms of AE are periorificial and acral dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea. Serum zinc levels usually decrease in AE patients. A 5-year-old boy presented with crusted erosion on the face, trunks and extremities that have been appeared for one year and worsened last month. It also accompanied by hair and eyebrow loss, diarrhea, and eating disorder. Patient was also malnourished. Dermatovenereology examination showed papules, patches, multiple erythematous plaques with squama, erosions with brownish yellow crust above located on perioral, periorbital, posterior trunk, inguinal, perianal, cubital, popliteal and dorsum pedis region. The oral region showed stomatitis and cheilitis. The orbital region showed conjunctival injection and eye discharge. The scalp, eyebrows and lashes showed total alopecia. Laboratory test showed normal serum zinc levels and decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase. The patient was diagnosed with acquired form of AE. Clinical improvement was seen after zinc supplementation. The diagnosis of AE cannot be made only by low serum zinc levels. If a classical triad of AE was found, we must be able to recognize it immediately, thus prompt and appropriate therapy could be given.

English

BACKGROUND Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit which occurs in adolescent age groups. Physical and psychological scars can create social issues in the family, school and workplace. The disorder is multifactorial. There are plenty of recovery choices but are not satisfactory. We wanted to investigate the serum zinc levels and the therapeutic utility of oral zinc supplementation in acne vulgaris patients. METHODS This is a prospective study conducted over a period of one and a half years among one hundred acne patients who reported to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology with untreated patients of acne vulgaris. RESULTS Males were 65 % and females were 35 % with male : female ratio of 6.5 : 3.5. Most of the patients were students occupying 71 % of the study. Family history was observed in 46 % of patients, either in the siblings or in the parents. Premenstrual flare-up of acne lesions was noted in 71.42 % of female patients indicating a pivotal role of hormones in the pathogenesis of acne. Aggravation of lesions in summer was noted in 45 % of patients. Aggravation of acne lesions with different types of diet like non-vegetarian food, oily food and chocolates was noticed in 69 % of the study. History of usage of different types of cosmetics available in the market was noted in 76 % of the patients. In the present study, 62 % had lower than normal serum zinc levels and 38 % had normal serum zinc levels. Thus, serum zinc levels were found to be lower in both male and female acne patients in the majority (62 %) of the study patients and also normal healthy controls. The fasting serum zinc levels in the 62 patients before and after oral zinc sulphate were estimated after completion of 3 months treatment. Normal serum zinc levels were observed in all 62 patients treated. CONCLUSIONS Oral zinc sulphate is an effective, safe and economic remedy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The extra advantage with oral zinc sulphate is that it is devoid of many adverse reactions commonly seen after prolonged use of systemic antibiotics. KEYWORDS Oral Zinc Sulphate, Acne Vulgaris

Nutritional Biomarkers and Associated Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from the SHIELD Study

Aging is associated with intrinsic and extrinsic changes which affect the nutrient intake and nutritional status of an older individual. Suboptimal nutritional status is linked with adverse health outcomes. There are limited data in this area for community-dwelling older adults who are not at risk of malnutrition. The objective of this study was to describe the nutritional biomarkers in 400 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) with normal nutritional status (Malnutrition Universal Screening Test score of 0) in Singapore and to identify factors associated with these biomarkers. The majority of the participants had normal levels of pre-albumin, albumin, total protein, creatinine, zinc, corrected calcium, vitamin B12, ferritin and hemoglobin. Females had significantly higher levels of corrected calcium and vitamin B12 than males, whereas males had significantly higher levels of pre-albumin, albumin, creatinine, serum ferritin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and hemoglobin than females. About half of the participants (52%) had low level of 25(OH)D (<30 μg/L) and 10% had low zinc level (<724 μg/L). Among those with low level of 25(OH)D, 74% had 25(OH)D insufficiency (20–<30 μg/L) and 26% had 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 μg/L). Younger age, female gender, non-Chinese ethnicity and no intake of vitamin D supplement were associated with lower serum 25(OH)D level, whereas higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with low zinc level. These findings highlight the problem of hidden nutritional insufficiencies can be missed in seemingly normal nourished community-dwelling older adults.

COVID-19: Poor outcomes in patients with zinc deficiency

BackgroundZinc is a trace element with potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties, and is utilized in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, we do not know the clinical significance of serum Zinc levels in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum zinc in COVID-19 patients and to establish a correlation with disease severity. MethodsThis was a prospective study of fasting zinc levels in COVID-19 patients at the time of hospitalization. An initial comparative analysis was conducted between COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. COVID-19 patients with zinc deficiency were compared to those with normal zinc levels. ResultsCOVID-19 patients (n = 47) showed significantly lower zinc levels when compared to healthy controls (n = 45): median 74.5 (interquartile range 53.4–94.6) μg/dl vs 105.8 (interquartile range 95.65–120.90) μg/dl (p < 0.001). Amongst the COVID-19 patients, 27 (57.4%) were found to be zinc deficient. These patients were found to have higher rates of complications (p = 0.009), acute respiratory distress syndrome (18.5% vs 0%, p = 0.06), corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.02), prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.05), and increased mortality (18.5% vs 0%, p = 0.06). The odds ratio (OR) of developing complications was 5.54 for zinc deficient COVID-19 patients. ConclusionsThe study data clearly show that a significant number of COVID-19 patients were zinc deficient. These zinc deficient patients developed more complications, and the deficiency was associated with a prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality.

Zinc replacement in hepatic encephalopathy among the Egyptian patients

Background: Nutritional supplementation may affect the outcomes of liver cirrhosis. Zinc deficiency is common among patients with liver cirrhosis. Objectives: To reveal the impact of zinc replacement therapy in the severity, frequency, and outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) among a sample of Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: Patients aged more than 18 years and had decompensated liver disease and developed HE regardless of its grade were included in the current study. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the serum level of zinc and whether patients received zinc replacement therapy or not. Results: An overall 90 patients with decompensated liver disease as a sequel of HCV were enrolled in the present investigation. Patients were furtherly assorted based on the presence of zinc deficiency and replacement therapy into three groups. The mean ages of the included patients were 52.3±4.7, 47.23±4.7, and 41.35±4.28 among groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with zinc deficiency and received zinc replacement therapy experienced better outcomes in the terms of short ICU stay and total hospital stays, in contrast to patients within groups 2 and 3 .There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the levels of Zinc and the frequency of HE. Conclusion: Patients developed HE should receive a comprehensive treatment protocol including zinc replacement therapy even if they have normal zinc levels in order to ameliorate the catastrophic sequels of HE.

Zinc replacement in hepatic encephalopathy among the Egyptian patients

Background: Nutritional supplementation may affect the outcomes of liver cirrhosis. Zinc deficiency is common among patients with liver cirrhosis. Objectives: To reveal the impact of zinc replacement therapy in the severity, frequency, and outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) among a sample of Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: Patients aged more than 18 years and had decompensated liver disease and developed HE regardless of its grade were included in the current study. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the serum level of zinc and whether patients received zinc replacement therapy or not. Results: An overall 90 patients with decompensated liver disease as a sequel of HCV were enrolled in the present investigation. Patients were furtherly assorted based on the presence of zinc deficiency and replacement therapy into three groups. The mean ages of the included patients were 52.3±4.7, 47.23±4.7, and 41.35±4.28 among groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with zinc deficiency and received zinc replacement therapy experienced better outcomes in the terms of short ICU stay and total hospital stays, in contrast to patients within groups 2 and 3 .There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the levels of Zinc and the frequency of HE. Conclusion: Patients developed HE should receive a comprehensive treatment protocol including zinc replacement therapy even if they have normal zinc levels in order to ameliorate the catastrophic sequels of HE.

Assessment of Hair Zinc in the School Children in Kayseri, Turkey.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the organism and is critical for the functional and structural integrity of cells. Determination of the amount of trace element concentrations in tissues such as hair samples have been used for the evaluation of the metabolic status especially in children. Unlike serum zinc, concentrations of zinc in hair are more stable and indicative of variations over time. The purpose of this study is to assess the zinc status of healthy school-age children in Kayseri (Turkey) by measuring the zinc level in hair samples and its association with BMI and the frequency of intake of zinc-rich foods. A total of 527 healthy children, including preadolescent (n = 360) aged 6-10years and adolescent (n = 167) aged 11-15years were included in this study. Hair samples were analyzed for zinc content by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometry. Analysis of 527 healthy children showed that the mean hair zinc level was 186 ± 77μg/g. Mean hair zinc level was lower in preadolescent age group than adolescents. There was no significant relationship between the monthly income of the family and the zinc-rich food intake and the zinc level of the hair. Our study shows that samples for analysis of zinc can be obtained with a noninvasive method for determining cases of deficiency during periods of rapid growth. However, further studies are needed to determine the normal tissue zinc level in healthy children, especially in our country and including different geographical regions.

A study of serum zinc levels among children with seizures in comparison with febrile children without seizures

Background: Infants and children are more prone to have seizures than adults. This reflects the greater neuronal excitability at certain ages as the excitatory glutamate system and inhibitory GABA system do not always balance each other. Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizures observed in pediatric age group. Febrile seizures occur in young children at a time in their development when seizure threshold is low. Objective of the study was to determine the levels of zinc in children with febrile seizures when compared to children with fever without seizures.Methods: To determine the levels of zinc in children with febrile seizures when compared to children with fever without seizures. A total of 50 Study subjects were selected into each group. Group 1: Children with Febrile Seizures. Group 2: Children with Fever and Without Febrile Seizures.Results: Among the cases with fever and convulsion Zinc level was found to be low among 72% of the subjects, 22 % of them had normal zinc levels and only 6% had high zinc levels. Among the subjects with Fever and no convulsions nearly 80% of them had normal zinc levels, 16 % had low levels of zinc and 4% had high zinc levels. The association of levels of Zinc between both the groups was found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: This study shows that serum zinc levels are decreased in children with febrile convulsions when compared to children with fever alone without convulsions, thus indicating that zinc deprivation plays significant role in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsions.