Urinary Zinc Concentrations Research Articles

Plasma, Urinary, Erythrocyte and Platelet Zinc Concentrations in Soccer Players.

Essential trace minerals are vital for general human health and athletic performance. Zinc (Zn) plays critical roles in several biochemical processes in exercise physiology, especially during intense physical exercise. This research aimed to analyze erythrocyte, platelet, plasma and urine Zn concentrations among men's and female soccer players over a sports season. A total of 22 male soccer players (20.61 ± 2.66 years; 71.50 ± 5.93 kg) and 24 female soccer players (23.37 ± 3.95 years; 59.58 ± 7.17 kg) participated in this longitudinal quasi-experimental study. Three assessments were carried out over the season: 1st evaluation: first week of training (August); 2nd assessment: middle of the season, between the end of the first and second round (January) and 3rd assessment: last week of training (May/June). In all evaluations extracellular (plasma and urine) and intracellular (erythrocytes and platelets) Zn concentrations were determined, as well as physical fitness and several blood parameters. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure Zn concentrations. Plasma and urinary concentrations were higher among male soccer players (p < 0.05) while erythrocyte and platelet Zn concentrations were higher in the female soccer players (p < 0.05). Additionally, variations in urinary and platelet Zn concentrations were observed over the season. The differences could be related to muscle mass, muscle damage or the specific sport's physical demands.

Association between urinary zinc excretion and isoflavone-metabolizing enterotypes among Japanese females: a cross-sectional study.

Zinc absorption and competition among gut bacteria have been reported in animal studies. Thus, gut bacteria may modify zinc availability in humans. Metabolism of intestinal bacteria is known to be necessary for the activation of several phytoconstituents in the body. For example, equol, a typical substance of soybean isoflavone, is produced by intestinal bacteria metabolizing daidzein and the enterotype is one of distinct ones among Japanese population. The difference in the intestinal microflora can modify the bioavailability of zinc. In this study, we examined urinary zinc concentrations in adult female equol producers (EQPs). Urine samples from women participating in health examinations in Miyagi, Okinawa, Kyoto, Kochi, and Hokkaido prefectures were used; from total 17,484 samples, approximately 25 samples were randomly selected for each age group from 30 to 60 years per region (subsample: n = 520), and 520 samples with available urinary zinc concentration (determined by flame atomic absorption analysis) and enterobacterial type were analyzed. EQP was defined as log(equol/daidzein) ≥ -1.42, and urinary concentrations were corrected for creatinine concentration. Urinary zinc concentrations were compared by Student's t-test and multiple regression analyses. The geometric mean urinary zinc concentration (µg/g-Cr) was lower in EQP than in non-EQP (p = 0.0136 by t-test after logarithm transformation). On the other hand, there was no correlation between urinary zinc concentration with daidzein (r = -0.0495, P = 0.436) and equol concentrations (r = -0.0721, P = 0.256). There was a significant negative association between urinary zinc concentration and EQP (β = -0.392, P = 0.0311) after adjusting with other potential confounding variables, such as daidzein intake. The results suggest that gut bacteria that produce equol are involved in the metabolism of zinc. Based on previous studies, the bacteria that affect the metabolism of both substances are thought to be Enterococcus. Future studies are expected to identify specific intestinal bacteria for zinc availability and understand individual differences in the effects of micronutrients.

The Association Between Serum and Urine Zinc Concentrations and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Children

The Association Between Serum and Urine Zinc Concentrations and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Children

Association of CYP19A1 Gene, Plasma Zinc, and Urinary Zinc with the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Population.

To explore the effects of CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms, plasma zinc, and urinary zinc levels and their interactions on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in residents of Gongcheng County, Guangxi, China. The case-control study was used for the investing. The MassARRAY System was applied to genotype the CYP19A1 genes rs752760, rs10046, rs10459592, and rs700518 in 540 study subjects. Plasma and urinary zinc concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Conditional logistic regression showed that rs752760 and plasma zinc were associated with T2DM risks with ORs of 0.593 (95% CI: 0.371-0.948) and 0.563 (95% CI: 0.356-0.889), respectively. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed an association between urinary zinc levels and the risk of T2DM as well, with an OR of 0.352 (95% CI: 0.212-0.585). The results of the multiplicative interaction model showed that the rs752760 T allele was associated with a significantly reduced risk of T2DM with moderate/low plasma zinc levels, with ORs of 0.340 (95% CI: 0.161-0.715) and 0.583 (95% CI: 0.346-0.981), respectively, and the rs752760 T allele was also associated with a significantly decreased risk of T2DM with moderate/low urinary zinc levels, with ORs of 0.358 (95% CI: 0.201-0.635) and 0.321 (95% CI: 0.183-0.562), respectively. CYP19A1 rs752760 T allele and moderate/low plasma/urinary zinc levels reduce the risk of T2DM.

Association of Urinary Zinc Concentrations with Dyslipidemia and Its Subtypes: Baseline Data from the Chinese Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study.

This study elucidates the association between urinary zinc concentration and the risk of developing dyslipidemia and its subtypes in China's ethnic minority residents. Based on the baseline survey data of the Chinese Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study, 10,620 subjects were included in the study. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the relationship between urinary zinc concentration and dyslipidemia and its subtypes. After adjustment, compared with urinary zinc concentration quartile 1 (Q1), the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of dyslipidemia participants in the quartile 2 (Q2), quartile 3 (Q3), and quartile 4 (Q4) groups were 1.091 (0.963, 1.237), 1.151 (1.051, 1.304), and 1.393 (1.230, 1.579), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). While that of hypertriglyceridemia participants in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 1.130 (0.979, 1.306), 1.283 (1.113, 1.480), and 1.483 (1.287, 1.709), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Lastly, the ORs and 95% CIs of hyperbetalipoproteinemia participants in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 1.166 (0.945, 1.439), 1.238 (1.007, 1.522), and 1.381 (1.126, 1.695), respectively (P for trend < 0.002). This study found that urinary zinc concentrations were not associated with hypercholesterolemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. The dose-response relationship was non-linear between urinary zinc concentration and dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperbetalipoproteinemia (P for trend < 0.001). In the stratified analysis, urinary zinc levels were positively associated with the risk of dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperbetalipoproteinemia in male, ≥ 60years old, Miao nationality, hypertension, diabetes, and BMI ≥ 24.0kg/m2 subgroups. Our study provides some possible evidence that elevated urinary zinc concentrations are associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia.

The potential of spot urine as a biomarker for zinc assessment in Malawian children and adults.

Population-level assessment of zinc deficiency remains a challenge due to the lack of suitable biomarkers. Spot urinary zinc concentration (UZC) has the potential to provide information on population zinc status in large-scale surveys, but there is no established cut-off point indicating deficiency. A strong correlation between this biomarker and an established biomarker such as serum zinc concentration (SZC) in paired samples (i.e., from the same individual), could identify the thresholds indicating zinc deficiency. This study, therefore, aimed to regress spot UZC from school-aged children and women from the Malawi micronutrient survey with paired SZC data using a linear mixed-effects model. The nested variance components indicated no linear relationship between the UZC and SZC data, irrespective of adjustments for inflammation and hydration. Thresholds of urinary zinc excretion that have been suggested by expert panels were applied to the spot UZC data, as a post-hoc analysis. The zinc deficiency prevalence estimates derived from these suggested thresholds were not similar to the estimates from the SZC data, and further research is required to understand whether spot UZC can still provide useful information in population zinc assessment.

Urinary Metal Mixtures and Incident Metabolic Syndrome in Midlife Women: the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Exposure to metals may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, evidence from midlife women who are at greater risk of cardiometabolic disease is limited. We prospectively examined the associations of 15 urinary metal concentrations with incident MetS in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study. METHODS: The sample included 947 White, Black, Chinese and Japanese women from 5 study sites in the United States, aged 45-56 years and free of MetS at baseline (1999-2000), followed through 2017. Urinary concentrations of 15 metals, including arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, copper, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, tin, thallium, and zinc, were quantified at baseline. Incident MetS was identified annually as the presence of at least 3 of the following 5 components: high blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS:After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for MetS associated with each doubling of urinary metal concentration was 1.14 (1.08, 1.23) for arsenic, 1.14 (1.01, 1.29) for cobalt, and 1.20 (1.06, 1.37) for zinc, in Cox proportional hazards models. Positive associations of urinary arsenic with high blood pressure and impaired fasting glucose, positive associations of urinary cobalt with high blood pressure and abdominal obesity, and positive associations of urinary zinc with high blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, abdominal obesity, and high triglyceride were observed. In the quantile-based g-computation assessing the joint effect of metal mixtures, increasing urinary arsenic, cobalt, and zinc concentrations by one quartile was associated with a higher incidence of MetS (HR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.48). CONCLUSIONS:Higher urinary arsenic, cobalt, and zinc concentrations were associated with an elevated incidence of MetS in midlife women. Future studies should confirm these findings and further investigate the underlying mechanisms. KEYWORDS: Metals, mixtures, metabolic syndrome, women, cohort study.

Dietary exposure to metal mixtures throughout infants' first year of life in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent reports have raised concerns about infants’ exposure to metals and metalloids (here, “metals”) via their first solid foods. Although early exposure to metals may cause lifelong health effects, epidemiologic studies on infants' dietary exposure to metal mixtures are still scarce. We aimed to assess the impact of diet on urinary metal concentrations over the first year of life among 348 children from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. METHODS: We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to measure infant urinary arsenic speciation, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, lead, antimony, selenium, uranium, vanadium and zinc concentrations. Caregivers completed a 3-day food diary before infant urine collection at 6 weeks and 4, 6, and 12 months of age. RESULTS:We determined the weights of each metal and the impact of the mixture at 6 weeks and 12 months of age. Using quantile g-computation we found that urinary concentration of arsenic, molybdenum and cobalt increased from ~6 weeks to 12 months of age, and that urinary selenium and copper decreased. We observed similar findings in a subset of infants (n = 19) during weaning from 4 to 6 months of age. We are now focusing on identifying specific groups of foods responsible for these changes. CONCLUSIONS:Determining dietary contributors to infants’ exposure to potential harmful metals is a critical step in preventing their long-term consequences. KEYWORDS: mixture, heavy metals, food, biomarkers of exposure

Prenatal exposure to metal mixtures and lung function in children from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Prenatal environmental exposure to metals and metalloids (referred to as “metals”) has been associated with childhood lung development, but limited data exist on metal mixtures. We aimed to investigate the association between gestational exposure to metal mixtures and childhood lung function among 267 maternal-child dyads from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. METHODS: Maternal ~24-28-week gestational urinary arsenic speciation, aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, tin, lead, antimony, selenium, thallium, uranium, vanadium and zinc concentration were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second of exhalation (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75) standardized z-scores were obtained at a median age of 7.4 years. We used quantile g-computation for each outcome and urinary metals adjusted for maternal smoking status, children’s age, sex and height. RESULTS:Urinary concentrations of cobalt, lead, nickel, cadmium, and chromium were inversely associated with lung function z-scores. Arsenic concentrations were inverse associated specifically with FVC and FEV1 z-scores. In contrast, lung function z-scores increased with vanadium, molybdenum, and thallium urine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to metal mixtures impact lung function, with varying direction and magnitudes of effects. KEYWORDS: mixture, heavy metals, children’s environmental health, respiratory outcomes, biomarkers of exposure

Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk in Obese Women and their Relationship with Zinc Status

Background: Excessive adipose tissue, in the case of common obesity, has been associated with an endocrine-metabolic alteration that contributes to a manifestation of dyslipidemia. To identify mechanisms which are involved in disorders of lipid metabolism, several nutrients have been studied, especially zinc, which act by regulating transcription factors that are important for synthesis and oxidation of lipids and act as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrient. Thus, the study makes an assessment of the zinc status and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in obese women. Methods: A case-control study enrolling obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m²) and eutrophic (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) Brazilian women was conducted. Dietary zinc intake was assessed by the three-day food registry. Plasma, erythrocyte and urinary zinc concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by plasma concentrations of lipid fractions, and by anthropometric measures. Results: Both groups showed a dietary zinc intake above the recommendations, with no statistical difference between them (p &gt;0.05). Mean plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations were significantly reduced in obese women, compared to the control group (p &lt;0.05). Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in obese women (p &lt;0.05), who also had a significantly higher cardiovascular risk when compared to the control group (p &lt;0.05). An inverse correlation between dietary zinc intake and waist-hip ratio was found in obese women. Conclusion: Obese women presented zinc redistribution characterized by reduced concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes, dietary zinc intake above the recommended, and increased zinc excretion in the urine. This study shows dyshomeostasis of zinc in obesity, a possible role in adiposity control and, consequently, its protective role against cardiovascular risk, due to its influence on risk biomarkers, such as waist-hip ratio.

Correlation between biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in the urine of electronic cigarette users

ObjectivesTo determine if urinary biomarkers of effect and potential harm are elevated in electronic cigarette users compared with non-smokers and if elevation correlates with increased concentrations of metals in urine.Study...

A short 18 items food frequency questionnaire biochemically validated to estimate zinc status in humans

Inadequate dietary zinc intake is wide-spread in the world's population. Despite the clinical significance of zinc deficiency there is no established method or biomarker to reliably evaluate the zinc status.The aim of our study was to develop a biochemically validated questionnaire as a clinically useful tool that can predict the risk of an individual being zinc deficient.From 71 subjects aged 18–55 years blood and urine samples were collected. Zinc concentrations in serum and urine were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) including 38 items was filled out representing the consumption during the last 6 months obtaining nutrient diet scores. Latter were calculated by multiplication of the particular frequency of consumption, the nutrient intake of the respective portion size and the extent of the consumed quantity. Results from the FFQ were compared with nutrient intake information gathered in 24-h dietary recalls. A hemogram was performed and cytokine concentrations were obtained using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.Reducing the items of the primary FFQ from 38 to 18 did not result in a significant variance between both calculated scores. Zinc diet scores showed highly significant correlation with serum zinc (r = 0.37; p < 0.01) and urine zinc concentrations (r = 0.34; p < 0.01). Serum zinc concentrations and zinc diet scores showed a significant positive correlation with animal protein intake (r = 0.37; p < 0.01/r = 0.54; p < 0.0001). Higher zinc diet scores were found in omnivores compared to vegetarians (213.5 vs. 111.9; p < 0.0001).The 18 items FFQ seems to be a sufficient tool to provide a good estimation of the zinc status. Moreover, shortening of the questionnaire to 18 items without a loss of predictive efficiency enables a facilitated and resource-saving routine use. A validation of the questionnaire in other cohorts could enable the progression towards clinical utilization of this promising tool.

Dietary intake and zinc status in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

There is considerable evidence that abnormal zinc homeostasis is related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis, and malnutrition is an independent prognostic factor for worsened survival of ALS patients. To evaluate the dietary intake and zinc status in patients with ALS, treated in a specialized outpatient facility in Natal, Brazil. Twenty patients with ALS (case group) and 37 healthy subjects (control group) were included. Clinical and anthropometric assessments were carried out and dietary intake was obtained from two 24-hour recalls. Plasma and urinary zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Most of the participants were eutrophic. Mean energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake was significantly lower for the case group. There was greater prevalence of inadequate zinc intake in the case group (35%) compared to controls (27%). Mean plasma zinc was significantly lower in the case group than in controls (77.13 ± 22.21 vs 87.84 ± 17.44 µgZn/dl). Urinary zinc did not differ significantly between cases and controls. In the case group, plasma and urinary zinc concentrations were below reference values in 50.0% and 52.6% of patients, respectively. A large portion of patients with ALS exhibited poor dietary intake and changes in body zinc status. The zinc deficiency found in half of the ALS patients may contribute to a worsened prognosis and should be the target of nutritional intervention that aims to correct this deficiency.

Zinc and selenium status in critically ill patients according to severity stratification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of zinc and selenium in different biological materials and to associate them with the clinical severity score according to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III. The study was conducted in a 10-bed general intensive care unit of the Américo Brasiliense State Hospital/SP, with 95 patients stratified by the SAPS III score cutoff points (63.5 points) as less or more severe and by the diagnosis of sepsis. Analyses of zinc and selenium concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine were conducted. Plasma concentrations were found to be lower than the reference values for both micronutrients (8.4±4 and 0.18±0.06μmol/L, respectively, for zinc and selenium), and urinary zinc concentration was higher than the reference (38.6±35.8μmol/24h). The mean selenium plasma concentration was significantly lower in patients with greater severity, which was not observed for zinc (P>0.05). The mean selenium plasma and erythrocyte concentrations were significantly different between the groups diagnosed with sepsis, which was not observed in the analysis of zinc. Albumin levels (r=-0.26; P=0.01) and C-reactive protein (r=0.40; P<0.001) correlated with the SAPS III severity score. Plasma concentrations of zinc and selenium are low in critically ill patients upon admission to the intensive care unit and may make these patients more susceptible to oxidative stress. The low concentration of erythrocyte selenium may represent an inadequate intake by this population. Additional studies using new biomarkers should be performed with the objective of identifying values for the local population.

Zinc concentrations in different sample media from dairy cows and establishment of reference values

Zinc plays an important role in many body functions, including health and fertility. The assessment of the zinc supply can be performed using blood, urine and hair. The objective of this study was to establish reference values for herd analysis for the different sample media and stages of lactation in German dairy herds. The data of 1515 herds, which had been visited by the Clinic for Ruminant and Swine, Free University of Berlin, Germany, between 1995 and 2012 were analyzed. Serum, plasma, whole-blood, hair and urine zinc concentrations of pooled samples with 7 to 10 cows per group were determined. In herds with more than 200 cows, five groups were sampled (8-3 weeks ante partum [a.p.], 3-0 weeks a.p., 0-1 week post partum [p.p.], 3-5 weeks p.p. and 15-18 weeks p.p.). In herds with fewer than 200 cows, only four groups were sampled (8-3 weeks a.p., 3-0 weeks a.p., 0-5 weeks p.p. and 6-20 weeks p.p.). Correlations among zinc concentrations in different sample media varied between r=0.001 (whole blood and urine) and r=0.75 (serum and plasma). Serum and plasma zinc concentrations changed rapidly and followed a lactation dynamic, with the lowest values around parturition. Whole-blood and hair zinc concentrations changed slowly but displayed a similar decrease a few weeks after parturition. Reference values for pooled samples for the different sample media and stages of lactation are proposed. When assessing the zinc supply, different reference values have to be applied for the different sample media and stages of lactation. For repeated analysis to evaluate changes in zinc nutritional status, the same sample medium and stage of lactation should be used.

Effect of Frusemide on Serum and Urinary Zinc levels in Rabbits

Introduction: Zinc is an essential trace element playing a vital role in the maintenance of health. Frusemide, a loop diuretic, is known to deplete sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium levels. But, very few reports exist on its effect on Zinc levels. Hence, this study was performed on rabbits to investigate the same in detail. Material & Methods: Healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits (n=6 per group) were treated with Normal saline (2 ml kg-1) and Frusemide (5, 10 or 15 mg kg-1 each) intraperitoneally. Their serum and urinary zinc levels were studied by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Analysis of serum Zinc levels was also done after dietary Zinc supplementation for 20 days. Results: A dose-dependent decrease in serum Zinc levels owing to increased urinary Zinc excretion was observed. Both the urinary volume and urinary Zinc concentration increased dose-dependently. The percent fall in serum Zinc occurred in proportion to the pre-treatment serum values. Administration of Zinc in the diet restored the serum Zinc levels to normal. Conclusion: Frusemide may be responsible for Zinc depletion. Supplementation of Zinc may help to prevent the same in patients on prolonged Frusemide therapy. Key words: Dose-dependent, Frusemide, Frusemide-induced complications, Hypozincaemia, Hyperzincuria, Rabbits.

The changes of zinc transporter ZnT gene expression in response to zinc supplementation in obese women.

Obesity is associated with an alteration in zinc metabolism. This alteration may be associated with changes in gene expression of zinc transporters. In this study, we examined the leukocyte expression of zinc transporter ZnTs in response to zinc supplementation in young obese women. Thirty-five young obese women (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)), aged 18-28 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: a placebo group or a zinc group (30 mg zinc/day for 8 weeks). Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of leukocyte ZnT transporters were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. Expression levels of two ZnT transporters, ZnT1 and ZnT5, in obese women, increased significantly after zinc supplementation. At the end of the study, mRNA levels of ZnT1 and ZnT5 showed no correlation with serum zinc or urinary zinc concentration in obese women. In addition, a further study was conducted to identify whether the association between the gene expression levels of leukocyte ZnT1 and ZnT5 and dietary zinc intake remained consistent in 216 healthy young adults aged 20-29 years. A positive correlation between ZnT1 and dietary zinc intake (r = 0.181, P = 0.089) was also observed in healthy men although the significance was marginal. Taken together, these results show that the gene expression levels of ZnT1 and ZnT5 may be changed by zinc intake, suggesting that zinc supplementation could potentially restore ZnT transporter expression in obese women with altered zinc metabolism.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Adipokines in Young Obese Women

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state characterized by altered adipokine production and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. The study explored the effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipocyte hormones in young obese women. Twenty five non-obese women and forty obese women (body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) aged 19-28 years were recruited for this study. Twenty obese women of the study group took 30 mg/day of supplemental zinc as zinc gluconate for 8 weeks and 20 obese women of control group took placebo. Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentration were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and adipocyte hormones such as lepin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Inflammatory markers and leptin were significantly higher, but adiponectin was significantly lower in obese women than non-obese women. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc by 15% and urinary zinc by 56% (P < 0.05). The levels of hs-CRP (P = 0.03) and IL-6 (P = 0.006) significantly decreased with zinc supplementation, but not in placebo group. Serum leptin and plasma adiponectin concentration did not differ with either zinc supplementation or placebo. The levels of IL-6 and leptin were inversely associated with dietary zinc intake. These results suggest that zinc may have a favorable effect on obesity-related inflammation in young adults.

Mineral status of non-anemic Peruvian infants taking an iron and copper syrup with or without zinc from 6 to 18 months of age: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesWe evaluated changes in the status of iron, zinc, and copper in non-anemic Peruvian infants who were receiving daily supplements of 10 mg of iron and 0.5 mg of copper with or without 10 mg of zinc from 6 to 18 mo of age. MethodsOverall, 251 infants were randomized to receive one of two daily supplements. Venous blood draws at 6, 12, and 18 mo of age were taken to characterize hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, zinc, and copper concentrations. The urinary excretion of zinc was also measured at each time point. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate changes over time and by supplement type. ResultsBoth hemoglobin and copper concentrations increased significantly and plasma ferritin decreased from 6 to 12 mo of age (P < 0.05). Mean plasma zinc concentrations in the zinc treatment group were maintained over time, whereas zinc concentrations in the control group declined; differences by treatment were found at 12 and 18 mo of age (P < 0.05). Urinary zinc concentration was increased in the zinc group at 12 mo only. There was evidence that zinc treatment improved the hemoglobin level at 18 mo of age (P = 0.09). Compliance with supplementation was high, with 81% of the intended dose consumed over the 12-mo period. ConclusionsDaily mineral supplementation over the course of 1 y appears to be feasible and acceptable in this population. A combined supplement can improve the status of iron, zinc, and copper in infants at the same time.

Elevated Urine Zinc Concentration Reduces the Detection of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, THC and Opiates in Urine by EMIT

Methods for circumventing positive drug tests continue to evolve and are often spread through internet websites reporting on the proposed effectiveness of various adulteration methods. Recent claims of the use of zinc added directly to urine or ingested prior to urine collection have prompted investigation into the vulnerability of ELISA-based testing, providing interesting but inconclusive results. We investigated the potential interference of zinc used as a direct adulterant and after zinc self-administration for enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT)-based drug abuse testing in urine. Negative urine samples and samples collected before and after zinc self-administration were fortified with d-methamphetamine, benzoylecgonine, morphine and 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol prior to analysis by the EMIT. Our data indicate that zinc added directly to urine in concentrations 5,000 times higher than a typical random urine total zinc concentration is capable of producing false-negative results; however, self-administration of oral zinc was unable to generate random urine total zinc concentrations in the required range. Further, no evidence of a secondary interfering substance was observed as a result of oral zinc self-administration. Our results indicate that the total zinc concentrations required to directly interfere with EMIT-based testing are easily distinguishable from routine random urine total zinc concentrations, and that alleged oral ingestion of zinc does not produce total zinc concentrations capable of direct interference.