Serum Zinc Concentrations In Patients Research Articles

Preoperative chemotherapy with Gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer causes zinc deficiency.

The aim of this study was to investigate how preoperative chemotherapy affected the serum zinc concentrations in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Two hundreds and thirty-one patients with PC who underwent pancreatectomy at our department from 2013 to 2019 were enrolled in this study and measured for the serum zinc concentrations before pancreatectomy. Patient characteristics, course of treatment, and laboratory data were analyzed. One hundred thirty-five patients underwent upfront pancreatectomy and 58 received preoperative Gemcitabine + S1 (GEM + S1) and 29 received Gemcitabine + nab-Paclitaxel (GEM + nab-PTX). Comparing the serum zinc concentrations before and after preoperative treatment, it was found to decrease after treatment with statistical difference (79.3 μg/dl vs. 68.7 μg/dl, p < 0.001). The result was consistent with the investigation for both the patients who received GEM + S1 and those who received GEM + nab-PTX (p = 0.019, p < 0.001, respectively). The preoperative chemotherapy consistently reduced the serum zinc concentrations in the PC patients, regardless of their regimen such as GEM + S1 and GEM + nab-PTX. Monitoring the serum zinc concentration and appropriate zinc supplementation may be essential for PC patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and pancreatectomy.

Serum zinc concentration in patients with myocardial infarction: a retrospective study

BackgroundZinc regulates the oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling cascade and affects the development and deterioration of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the prognosis of developing heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction.MethodsPatients with myocardial infarction (n = 243) were divided using the median value of zinc concentration on admission into low (< 66 µg/dL at admission, n = 111) and high zinc group (≥ 66 µg/dL at admission, n = 132). During follow-up (mean ± SD: 734 ± 597 days; median 691 days), admission due to heart failure was observed in 12 patients: 10 and 2 cases in the low and high zinc groups, respectively.ResultsThe risk of admission due to heart failure was significantly higher in the low zinc than in the high zinc group (P = 0.0043). Relative to the high zinc group, the hazard ratio for admission due to heart failure was 15.7 (95% confidence interval 1.11–221, P = 0.042) via adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis. Even after propensity score matching, the risk of admission due to heart failure was significantly higher in the low zinc than in the high zinc group (P = 0.048).ConclusionLow serum zinc concentration may be a risk factor for admission due to heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients with Alopecia Areata.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune non-scarring disease in which the exact mechanism that induces loss of immune privilege is unknown. Zinc is important for DNA stability and repair mechanisms that are essential in maintaining normal hair growth. Zinc deficiency has been investigated as an important factor in many autoimmune diseases, and may have a possible role in the aetiopathogenesis of alopecia areata. This study included 32 patients with severe forms of alopecia areata, and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. When comparing serum zinc levels in these 2 groups, statistically significantly lower zinc concentrations were found in the alopecia areata group (p = 0.017). Detected zinc deficiency was statistically more prevalent in patients with alopecia areata (p = 0.011). Evaluating patients with alopecia areata, a statistically significant negative correlation between serum zinc levels and severity of the disease was found (ρ = 0.006). The results indicate that zinc serum assessment is necessary in patients with alopecia areata. Low serum zinc levels were found to correlate with severity of alopecia areata. Given that most severe forms of alopecia areata are frequently most treatment-resistant, additional randomized control trials examining zinc supplementation are necessary to investigate its potential role in the restoration of hair follicles.

Serum Trace Elements Concentrations in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Increased brain and serum zinc levels in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (idiopathic RLS or iRLS) were described when compared with controls, suggesting a possible role of zinc in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, serum magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and copper levels of RLS patients were similar to controls, suggesting a specific impairment of zinc-dependent metabolism in RLS. The aim of this study is to assess the serum concentrations of trace elements involved in oxidative stress or causing peripheral nerve toxicity in a large series of patients with iRLS and controls. We determined serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, aluminium, lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in 100 patients diagnosed with iRLS and in 110 age- and sex-matched controls using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Serum copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium concentrations were significantly higher in RLS patients than in controls. These differences were observed both in men and women. There were no major correlations between serum trace metal concentrations and age at onset of RLS or RLS severity, nor was there any association with a family history of RLS or drug response. This study shows an association between increased serum concentrations of copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium with RLS in a Spanish Caucasian population and does not confirm the previously reported increase in serum zinc concentrations in patients suffering from this disease, suggesting that the different accuracy of the analytical methods used could have influenced the inconsistent results found in the literature.

A cross-sectional study of the correlation between diabetic therapy and serum zinc concentrations.

Zinc, an essential trace element, has various functions in humans. Zinc deficiency is associated with the elderly, patients with diabetes, and patients with frailty, a common geriatric syndrome. As few studies have reported the effects of anti-diabetic medication on zinc levels, we examined serum zinc concentrations in patients with diabetes and their correlation with anti-diabetic medications, especially in the elderly and patients with frailty, in Japan. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 and included 1033 patients with diabetes. Blood samples were taken, and a survey for the 8-item Short Form Health Survey of the Medical Outcomes Study was conducted. Because of renal dysfunction (with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of < 60mL/min/1.73m2), 337 patients out of 1033 were excluded. Hypozincemia was observed in 43.8% of the patients with diabetes. In 177 elderly patients with a low physical component summary score, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed two anti-diabetic medications associated with hypozincemia: GLP-1RA (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.010-0.657, p = 0.019) and metformin (OR 0.415, 95% CI 0.222-0.774, p = 0.006). In addition, metformin had a dose-dependent correlation with zinc levels (R = 0.3067, p < 0.0001). Oral administration of metformin in the elderly with diabetes and non-progressive renal dysfunction was not associated with hypozincemia, even at high doses. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00521-6.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients with Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients with Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Serum zinc concentration in patients with acute myocardial infarction in percutaneous coronary intervention era.

IntroductionThere were few studies that investigated the association between serum zinc concentration and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in percutaneous coronary intervention era.ObjectiveWe assessed the relationships between serum zinc concentration, complications, and prognosis in AMI patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.MethodsWe conducted a single-center, prospective, observational study including 50 patients with AMI. We divided patients into two groups (High-zinc group and Low-zinc group) by median serum zinc concentration and compared two groups about clinical outcomes up to 1 year follow up.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 66.2 ± 11.8 years old. Patients in the Low-zinc group had ST-segment elevation more frequently than those in the High-zinc group (96.0% vs. 72.0%, P = 0.02). All-cause mortality at 1 year was similar in both groups (P (log-rank) = 0.33). However, the lengths of hospital stay and in coronary care unit were longer in patients in the Low-zinc group than in those in the High-zinc group (15.6 ± 9.2 days vs. 11.9 ± 2.9 days, P = 0.06; 3.9 ± 2.8 days vs. 2.3 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that low serum zinc concentration was associated with the use of cardiac or respiratory assist devices (adjusted odds ratio, 17.79; 95% CI 1.123 to 1216.5; P = 0.04).ConclusionsAlthough there was no significance difference in mortality in Low-zinc and High-zinc groups, low serum zinc concentration was associated with longer stay in the coronary care unit, and was one of the independent predictors for the use of cardiac or respiratory assist devices.

The Association Between Taste Impairment and Serum Zinc Concentration in Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the association between taste acuity and serum zinc concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes. We enrolled 29 patients who were hospitalized and asked them to attend a 2-week diabetes education program. Fasting blood samples were obtained on the morning of the first day and 2 weeks after hospitalization. The acuity of sweet, salty, sour or bitter taste was evaluated by a filter-paper disc method. Correlations among taste acuity, glycemic control and serum zinc concentration were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The following parameters (mean ± standard deviation) were improved after 2 weeks' hospitalization: taste acuity (sweet: 3.5±1.0 to 2.9±1.1; salty: 3.3±1.1 to 2.6±1.0; sour: 3.6±1.2 to 2.7±0.8; and bitter: 3.3±1.3 to 2.7±1.1; all p<0.001); glycemic control (fasting plasma glucose, 9.4±3.0 to 7.1±1.8 mmol/L, and glycoalbumin, 26.3±7.7 to 22.7±5.9 %; both p<0.001); and serum zinc concentration (1.2±0.2 to 1.3±0.2 mmol/L; p<0.001). Sour and bitter taste acuity were significantly associated with serum zinc concentration (sour, r=-0.50, p=0.005; bitter, r=-0.40, p=0.033). Glycemic control, serum zinc concentration and taste acuity were improved after the short-duration education program. Sour and bitter taste acuity were significantly associated with serum zinc concentrations.

Association between itching and the serum zinc levels in patients with varicose veins

BackgroundVaricose veins commonly occur in the lower extremities and can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area. Many patients with varicose veins suffer from itching, but its cause has not been sufficiently explained. In recent years, the role of zinc in maintaining the integrity of skin has been reported, and zinc supplementation has been suggested to be effective in relieving itching. The objective of this study is to elucidate the relationship between itching and serum zinc concentration in patients with varicose veins.MethodsWe measured the stratum corneum water content, TEWL and zinc levels in each participant. The study subjects were 11 patients with varicose veins who were experiencing itching (2 males and 9 females, mean age: 65.9 ± 9.4 years old) and 13 patients without itching (6 males and 7 females, mean age: 59.3 ± 9.5 years old). The control group was comprised of 9 healthy individuals without varicose veins (mean age: 41.7 ± 7.0 years old).ResultsThe level of stratum corneum water content was significantly lower in the patients experiencing itching compared to those without the symptom, and it was significantly lower in both patient groups than in the control group. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was significantly higher in the patients experiencing itching than those without the symptom, and it was significantly higher in both patient groups than in the control group. In addition, zinc level was significantly lower in the patients with itching compared to those without itching or the control group. For all study participants, relationships between the stratum corneum water content and TEWL against serum zinc were examined. There was a positive correlation between the stratum corneum water content and serum zinc, and a negative correlation was found between TEWL and serum zinc.ConclusionOur novel findings suggested that the development of varicose veins leads to decrease in serum zinc, causing dry skin which could contribute to itching.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Status and Glycated Hemoglobin of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Assam

The present study was undertaken to find out any correlation between serum zinc concentration and HbA1C% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study was carried out on 50 newly diagnosed patients of type 2 diabetes and controls in the Department of Biochemistry, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh. Analyses of blood glucose (fasting and postprandial), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum zinc, urea, and creatinine concentrations were performed by standard methods. Concentrations of fasting and postprandial blood glucose were significantly higher in the diabetic group than controls (P < 0.001) and the mean HbA1c% was also higher in cases (8.32% ±1.58%). The mean serum zinc concentration in cases was found to be significantly lower than controls (79.85 ± 13.4 vs. 109.74 ± 9.72 μg/dL) and P < 0.001 with correlation coefficient r = –0.804. Present study revealed an inverse relationship between HbA1C% and serum zinc concentration in patients with type 2 DM, substantiated by regression analysis.

Clinical Significance of Serum Zinc Levels in Cerebral Ischemia

Background. Zinc mediates several vital physiological, enzymatic and cellular functions. The association between serum zinc and stroke outcome has not been previously evaluated. Methods. This single center retrospective study was conducted on consecutive stroke (n = 158) and TIA (n = 74) patients. We sought to determine whether serum zinc concentrations in patients with acute ischemic strokes were associated with stroke severity and poor functional status at discharge, respectively. Results. Overall, out of the 224 patients analyzed (mean age 67 years), 35.7% patients had low zinc levels (65 mcg/dL). Patients with stroke (n = 152) were more likely to have low zinc levels (OR = 2.62, CI 1.92–3.57, P < .003) compared to patients with TIA (n = 72). For patients with stroke (n = 152), multivariate analysis showed that low serum zinc levels (OR 2.82, CI 1.35–5.91, P = .035) and strokes with admission severe strokes (NIHSS > 8) (OR 2.68, CI 1.1–6.5, P = .03) were independently associated with poor functional status (MRS > 3) at discharge from the hospital. Conclusion. Low serum zinc concentrations are associated with more severe strokes on admission and poor functional status at discharge.

Lower serum zinc in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Relationships to immune dysfunctions and relevance for the oxidative stress status in CFS

The present study examines serum zinc concentrations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) versus normal volunteers. Serum zinc levels were determined by means of an atomic absorption method. We found that serum zinc was significantly lower in the CFS patients than in the normal controls. There was a trend toward a significant negative correlation between serum zinc and the severity of CFS and there was a significant and negative correlation between serum zinc and the subjective experience of infection. We found that serum zinc was significantly and negatively correlated to the increase in the alpha2 protein fraction and positively correlated to decreases in the expression of mitogen-induced CD69+ (a T cell activation marker) on CD3+ as well as CD3+CD8+ T cells. These results show that CFS is accompanied by a low serum zinc status and that the latter is related to signs of inflammation and defects in early T cell activation pathways. Since zinc is a strong anti-oxidant, the present results further support the findings that CFS is accompanied by increased oxidative stress. The results of these reports suggest that some patients with CFS should be treated with specific antioxidants, including zinc supplements.

Serum zinc concentration in patients with colorectal cancer

Serum zinc concentration in patients with colorectal cancer