Zinc Levels Research Articles

Sleep disorders exert a significant influence on the overall quality of life, especially in diabetic patients. Hence, the identification of the risk factors causing sleep disorders is an important public health issue. The present research was conducted to investigate the relationship between sleep duration in type 2 diabetes and serum levels of heavy metals using data from the Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) Cohort Study. In this study, 300 individuals, comprising type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 150) and healthy control group (n = 150), were enrolled from the RaNCD cohort. The sleep duration of the study subjects was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. Serum concentrations of toxic and essential metals, including arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn), were analysed using ICP-MS (Agilent 7900). The findings indicated that BMI and age were the only demographic parameters showing significant differences between diabetic patients and the control group (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of As, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Cu were significantly higher in diabetic patients, while zinc (Zn) levels were elevated in the control group. Although no direct association was found between overall trace element concentrations and sleep duration, subgroup analysis using the Mann-Whitney test revealed that Cr and Hg levels were notably higher in specific diabetic subgroups. On the other hand, a nonlinear relationship was observed between the logarithm of Cr levels and sleep duration (P for non-linearity = 0.022), with Cr levels remaining stable in individuals sleeping less than 7h and peaking among those with 7-8h of sleep. Our study also presented a correlation of serum Hg and Cr with sleep duration. Higher levels of Hg were associated with unacceptable sleep duration, while Cr was positively associated with sleep duration in diabetic patients. These exploratory findings warrant further longitudinal studies to validate the observed associations and clarify the role of trace elements in sleep regulation across diverse populations.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk. This study employed a 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationships between circulating micronutrient levels and bone health indicators, including heel broadband ultrasound attenuation, quantitative ultrasound index, bone mineral density, and osteoporosis risk. Genetic instruments were derived from large-scale genome-wide association studies. Among all tested micronutrients, zinc uniquely demonstrated causal associations with heel bone parameters. Specifically, genetically predicted higher zinc levels were negatively associated with heel broadband ultrasound attenuation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.972, P = .001), quantitative ultrasound index (OR = 0.981, P = .002), and bone mineral density (OR = 0.969, P < .001). However, no significant causal effect was observed on overall osteoporosis risk (OR = 0.999, P = .217). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings, with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy. These results help clarify the complex relationship between zinc and bone quality and fill a critical knowledge gap by demonstrating that while zinc correlates with specific bone parameters, it may not directly reduce osteoporosis risk. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and explore their clinical implications.

Despite the growing interest in microalgae for their ecological and biotechnological value, there is a lack of detailed studies on the diversity and physicochemical dynamics of microalgae in fish ponds within underexplored regions like Nasarawa State, Nigeria. This study examines the isolation, identification, and physicochemical properties of microalgae in Sabon Gari and Rimaye fish ponds in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, an unexplored area for microalgal resources. Water samples from the ponds were cultured in Blue-green 11 Medium and analyzed for microalgae composition and environmental factors affecting pond health and productivity. Morphological identification revealed the presence of Chlorella sp., Microcystis sp., Scenedesmus sp., and Coelastrum sp. in Sabon Gari Pond, and Euglena sp., Chlamydomonas sp., Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella sp., and Oscillatoria sp. in Rimaye Pond. These species have significant biotechnological applications in biofuel production, renewable energy, water quality management, and pharmaceuticals. The physicochemical analysis revealed significant differences between the ponds in parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, water hardness, and chloride ions. However, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature, nitrate, phosphate, copper, and zinc levels were not significantly different. Nitrate (2.11 mg/L) and phosphate (4.34 mg/L) levels in Sabon Gari Pond were higher, promoting microalgae proliferation, while lower dissolved oxygen (9.19 ± 0.64 mg/L in Sabon Gari and 11.17 ± 0.88 mg/L in Rimaye) indicates early eutrophication, potentially reducing fish yield. Zinc and copper levels were within WHO limits, and no lead was detected. These findings highlight the environmental factors influencing aquaculture productivity in the ponds and emphasize the potential of microalgae for biofuel production, water treatment, and other applications, while also identifying risks posed by eutrophication. It is recommended that regular monitoring and management of nutrient levels be implemented to avert eutrophication. Furthermore, the identified microalgae should be investigated further for their biotechnological applications in renewable energy and water treatment, aiming to boost both environmental sustainability and economic benefits in the region.

Black tooth stain (BTS) is an extrinsic discolouration that typically appears along the cervical third of the buccal and/or lingual surfaces of both primary and permanent teeth, predominantly in prepubertal individuals. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical properties of saliva and assess caries experience in children with and without BTS during the mixed-dentition period. A total of 120 children aged 7-12 years were enrolled and divided equally into BTS(+) and BTS(-) groups. Comprehensive dental examinations were conducted using dft/DMFT indices and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II criteria to evaluate caries status and the presence of BTS. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected and analysed for flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and ion concentrations (Cu, Fe, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Mn) using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The obtained data were analysed and compared between the groups. The BTS(+) group demonstrated significantly lower dft scores and fewer decayed primary teeth compared to the BTS(-) group (P 0.05). A higher proportion of caries-free teeth was also observed in the BTS(+) group. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of ICDAS II caries classification (P = 0.048). Salivary analysis showed significantly elevated manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) levels in the BTS(+) group, while no significant differences were found in pH, buffering capacity, flow rate, or other salivary ions. No significant correlations were observed between the severity of BTS and age, salivary parameters, or caries indices. Children with black tooth stain exhibited a lower caries experience, which may be associated with the anticariogenic properties of higher salivary Mn and Zn levels. Additionally, elevated Mn concentrations might play a role in the formation of BTS.

Background Zinc deficiency may contribute to cognitive decline through neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction; however, epidemiological evidence linking zinc deficiency to incident dementia remains limited. We investigated whether zinc deficiency is associated with an increased risk of new-onset dementia in a large healthcare population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Research Network and analyzed adults aged ≥50 years who underwent serum zinc testing between January 2010 and December 2023. Patients were stratified by zinc levels: deficiency (&amp;lt;70 μg/ml) vs. normal (70–120 μg/ml). After excluding those with pre-existing cognitive impairment or conditions affecting zinc metabolism, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching based on demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory parameters. The primary outcome was new-onset dementia within 3 years. Cognitive impairment was assessed as an additional outcome, whereas pneumonia was included as a positive control outcome to validate the study's analytic approach. Results After propensity score matching, 34,249 patients were included in each group. Zinc deficiency was associated with a 34% increased dementia risk (adjusted HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.17–1.53, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and 72% increased pneumonia risk (adjusted HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.63–1.81, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Cognitive impairment showed no significant association in the primary analysis (adjusted HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.92–1.28, p = 0.339) but became significant when the analysis was restricted to the pre-pandemic period (2010–2019, adjusted HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.11–1.72, p = 0.004). A clear dose-response relationship emerged when comparing both mild-to-moderate deficiency (50–70 μg/ml, adjusted HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10–1.46) and severe deficiency (&amp;lt;50 μg/ml, adjusted HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.36–2.16) against normal zinc levels. Conclusion Zinc deficiency represents an independent, modifiable risk factor for new-onset dementia with a clear dose-response relationship. These findings support the consideration of zinc status assessment and optimization in dementia prevention strategies. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish causality and determine optimal intervention protocols.

Plant microbiomes are increasingly acknowledged both as extensions of plant characteristics and as biological factors that influence plant traits important for nutrition and resilience. In the context of global change, manipulation of microbiomes has the potential to complement genetic approaches to enhance crop health and productivity under rising heat and drought stress. Understanding the factors that influence microbial communities and their variation across plant genotypes is essential for developing such capabilities. We employed metabarcoding via the Illumina sequencing platform to investigate microbial communities that occur within healthy leaves and roots of 12 lettuce genotypes (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in a desert agriculture environment. We detected diverse foliar- and root-endophytic fungi and bacteria in field-grown lettuce at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (Arizona, USA). The composition of microbial community structure varied with foliar chemistry and root traits. Notably, levels of zinc and other beneficial nutrients in the leaves were strongly linked with specific endophytes. These results document the lettuce microbiome in desert farming and provide insights into endophytes in lettuce leaves, which are noteworthy because they remain after washing and are regularly ingested.

This article reviews the evidence for drug-nutrient (DN) interactions associated with the chronic use of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications and suggests management strategies. Nutrient deficiencies due to DN interactions pose a risk for poorer patient outcomes. However, DN interaction studies and guidelines on preventing and managing DN abnormalities are lacking, with limited information for healthcare providers and patients to use as a resource. DN interactions can be caused by chronic use of psychiatric medications. Carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), antipsychotics, and lithium can cause various vitamin B deficiencies. Calcium and/or vitamin D levels can be decreased by CBZ, VPA, antidepressants (ie, TCAs and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and antipsychotics. VPA and clozapine can cause selenium deficiency. VPA may also lower carnitine and zinc levels, while VPA and CBZ can decrease vitamin E levels. Lastly, coenzyme Q10 levels can be reduced by TCA use. Strategies for the detection and treatment of these deficiencies are provided in the article. Although widespread supplementation is not recommended, identifying at-risk individuals taking psychiatric medications for evaluation and, if needed, treatment can improve their nutrient status. The summary evidence provided can assist pharmacists in guiding recommendations for patient care.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the interaction among phosphorus, zinc and Rhizobium inoculation on growth parameters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at student’s instructional farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture &amp; Technology, Kanpur. The experiment consists of 18 treatment combinations in a factorial randomized block design with three replications consisting of three levels of phosphorous (0, 30 and 60 kg ha-1),three zinc levels (0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg ha-1) and two rhizobium inoculation levels (with rhizobium and without rhizobium). The variety of chickpea KPG-59 (Uday) was grown with the recommended cultural practices. On the basis of results emanating from the investigation it can be concluded that among the growth parameters, maximum plant height (cm) at 90 DAS and at harvest was 46.39 cm &amp;51.56 cm with T18 [60 kg P + 5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium] and T17 [60 kg P + 2.5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium] and the maximum number of nodules per plant at 60 DAS during the first yearwas16.82 and second year is 16.96which was associated with the treatment with T18 [60 kg P + 5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium] and T17 [60 kg P + 2.5 kg-1 Zinc with Rhizobium]. The maximum number of dry weight of nodules (mg) per plant at 60 DAS during first year was187.15 and the second year was191, which was associated with the treatment T17 [60 kg P + 2.5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium]. The maximum number of branches,34.75 and 36.60 during both years of experimentation was associated with the treatment T17 [60 kg P+ 2.5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium] and the maximum number of plant population (m-2) at maturity during the first year was43.79 and the second year was45.40, which was associated with the treatment T18 [60 kg P +5 kg ha-1 Zinc with Rhizobium].

This paper aims to identify hypomineralization in patients with beta-thalassemia minor through an analysis of serum calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc concentrations in a series of patient subpopulations. In the 50 subjects studied, mineral concentration differences between clusters were assessed by Welch's ANOVA with Games-Howell post hoc tests. K-means clustering and principal component analysis were performed to identify and visualize the biochemical profiles of mineral intercorrelations via Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed significant variations in mineral concentrations between clusters. Calcium levels averaged 8.31 mg/dL in the cohort, with deficiencies noted in Cluster 2, which had a mean of 7.7 mg/dL. Iron levels varied significantly: Cluster 0 indicated chronic iron overload with a mean of 304.0 µg/dL, while Cluster 2 exhibited lower levels with a mean of 96.8 µg/dL. Magnesium concentrations were generally normal; however, Cluster 3 showed mild deficiencies (mean: 2.23 mg/dL), suggesting susceptibility to oxidative stress. Increased phosphorus levels were observed (mean: 5.1 mg/dL), while copper concentrations were highest in Cluster 1 (mean: 164.2 µg/dL) and zinc levels were lowest in Cluster 3 (mean: 81.2 µg/dL), reinforcing the need for individualized supplementation programs. The Pearson correlation showed moderate positive correlations between calcium and magnesium (p &lt; 0.01) and between copper and zinc (p &lt; 0.05), indicating potential interrelationships among these essential minerals.

Interactions between multiple serum metals and genetic variants for type 2 diabetes risk: A prospective Chinese cohort study.

Mouse ear (ME) is a growth disorder that poses a significant challenge in pecan seedlings. This study investigates nutrient uptake as a potential cause of ME disorder in 6-month-old ‘Giles’ pecan seedlings grown in soilless media. Based on visual observations, seedlings were categorized into normal leaves (control) and ME groups. Nutrient analysis of leaf samples showed that nickel concentrations were critically low, and copper levels were excessively high in both groups. ME-affected leaves had higher levels of phosphorus, zinc, sulfur, and magnesium, along with lower nitrogen compared with normal leaves. The nutrient analysis of soilless media indicated that media from ME seedlings had significantly higher levels of most nutrients including sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, compared with media from normal seedlings. The electrical conductivity (EC) of ME group media was also significantly higher. These findings support a multifactorial model of ME, in which limited nickel availability interacts with imbalance of other nutrients in the leaves. In this study, elevated EC, along with increased levels of calcium, chloride, sulfate, and magnesium in the media, may exacerbate the deficiency and contribute to the ME symptoms observed in pecan seedlings. Overall, our results suggest that ME symptoms arise from a complex interplay of deficiencies, toxicities, and disrupted nutrient uptake dynamics. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive nutrient management, including micronutrient balancing and substrate optimization, to prevent ME during the early developmental stages of pecan seedlings grown in greenhouse conditions.

Molecular polymorphism of tau aggregates in Pick's disease.

Zinc in eye health, retinal biology and disease.

Trace elements play an important role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the results from reported studies are inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the association between urine exposure levels of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se), Strontium (Sr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Chromium (Cr) in early pregnancy and the risk of GDM. Additionally, the potential modifying effects of infant sex and maternal age were assessed. This was a nested case-control study with data from the Wuhan Healthy Baby Cohort (WHBC) in 2016-2018. A total of 300 GDM cases and individually matched 300 cases in control group were included in the study. The conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between trace elements exposure in urine and the risk of GDM. We also explored whether the urine exposure levels of trace elements-GDM risk associations were modified by maternal age and infant sex. An interquartile range in urine exposure levels of Fe, Mn, and Cr was associated with a significant decrease in risk of GDM [OR = 0.79 (95% CI 0.66-0.86), OR = 0.56 (95% CI 0.44-0.72), OR = 0.45 (95% CI 0.35-0.59)], respectively. Further analyses indicated infant sex had an interaction between Cr and GDM risk (p-interaction = 0.03). Urine exposure levels of Fe, Mn, and Cr were negatively associated with the risk of GDM. Compared to male fetal pregnant women, the association of GDM risk with Cr was more significant decreasein female fetal pregnant women.

ABSTRACTThe contribution of circulating micronutrients to ulcer susceptibility remains poorly defined across anatomical sites. In this study, we constructed a systematic trace element–ulcer map by integrating genetic‐instrumented inference, pleiotropy‐aware modeling, and heterogeneity‐sensitive clustering. Summary‐level data were obtained from large‐scale genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) encompassing 10 circulating micronutrients (calcium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D) and nine ulcer phenotypes (corneal ulcer, recurrent oral aphthae, esophageal ulcer, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, vaginal/vulvar ulcer, decubitus ulcer, lower limb ulcer, and chronic skin ulcer), covering more than 3 million individuals of European ancestry. Our two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis identified genetically elevated zinc levels as a risk factor for gastric (OR: 1.141, 95% CI: 1.060–1.228, p = 4.57 × 10−4) and esophageal ulcers, but inversely associated with vaginal/vulvar ulcer risk. Protective effects were observed for iron with gastric ulcers and calcium with duodenal ulcers. Carotene and magnesium were nominally associated with increased risk of oral aphthae and vaginal ulcers, respectively. To refine these associations, we applied Causal Analysis Using Summary Effect estimates (CAUSE) and MR‐Clust. While CAUSE did not confirm robust putative causal relationships in most pairs, MR‐Clust uncovered three distinct SNP clusters in the vitamin C‐corneal ulcer pair, indicating potential mechanistic heterogeneity. These pleiotropy‐aware and cluster‐based approaches enhanced the interpretability of borderline signals and revealed genetic heterogeneity beyond mean‐effect estimates. Collectively, this study offers a panoramic view of trace element‐ulcer relationships and prioritizes zinc as a key candidate for further mechanistic exploration in gastric ulcer pathogenesis. Our integrative framework may serve as a foundation for future etiological and nutritional intervention studies.

Impact of hidden hunger on pregnant women from underserved communities and its role in anaemia.

Zinc homeostasis genes are a general term for a family of genes responsible for regulating the concentration of intracellular and extracellular zinc ions, including the SLC39 (ZIP) family, the SLC30 (ZnT) family, and the metallothionein family. As an essential trace element, zinc is involved in biomolecular synthesis, energy metabolism, redox regulation, and gene expression. Recent studies have shown that abnormal expression of zinc homeostasis genes mediates neuronal apoptosis through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Imbalance in zinc homeostasis can result in the pathological development of various neurodegenerative disorders, including the deposition of amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease and the aberrant aggregation of α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Therefore, regulating the expression of zinc homeostasis genes to restore normal zinc levels in vivo may be an effective strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review comprehensively summarizes the current status of research exploring zinc homeostasis genes across various family subtypes, as well as the altered expression of these genes in different neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we propose zinc chelator supplementation as a novel interventional therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. This proposal includes an evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and limitations of this treatment, providing an innovative perspective for the clinical management of neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

Metallothionein-dependent recovery of alcohol-related liver injury by zinc-glutathione.

The predictive value of trace elements in blood combined with systemic inflammatory factors for evaluating the effectiveness of orthokeratology in the treatment of myopia was investigated. A prospective study design was conducted, involving 169 myopic patients who underwent orthokeratology treatment between October 2022 and September 2023. All patients were followed for 1 year, and changes in axial length were reassessed. Based on axial elongation, patients were divided into a well-controlled group and a progression group. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to identify factors influencing treatment effectiveness and assess the predictive value of trace elements and systemic inflammatory markers. Following orthokeratology treatment, unaided visual acuity was significantly improved, while refraction and corneal curvature were markedly reduced (P < 0.05); however, no significant difference in axial length was observed compared with baseline (P > 0.05). When grouped according to axial elongation, serum copper levels were significantly higher in the progression group, whereas iron and zinc levels were lower than those in the well-controlled group (P < 0.05). In addition, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were significantly elevated in the progression group (P < 0.05). Based on univariate analysis, a logistic regression model was constructed, identifying copper, iron, zinc, SII, and SIRI as influencing factors. ROC analysis demonstrated that the combined prediction using these five indicators yielded an AUC of 0.874, which was significantly higher than that of individual predictors (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between axial length and copper, iron, zinc, SII, and SIRI after treatment (P < 0.05). Orthokeratology has been found to effectively improve unaided visual acuity, refraction, axial length, and corneal curvature in myopic patients. Nonetheless, suboptimal outcomes have been observed in certain cases, with myopia continuing to progress. This may be closely associated with the levels of trace elements and systemic inflammatory factors, especially copper, iron, zinc, SII, and SIRI, which serve as important clinical indicators for predicting treatment efficacy. Their application may facilitate more precise and individualized treatment strategies in clinical practice.

Purpose: To assess the association between hair loss in females and various biomarkers including hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, zinc, selenium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid, and thyroid hormones. Patients and methods: This study enrolled 100 women presenting with hair loss and 100 age-matched healthy controls. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of hematological, hormonal and biochemical parameters. Results: The mean age of participants was comparable between groups (43.06 ± 10.76 vs. 41.39 ± 7.94 years; p = 0.88). Hair loss in females had significantly lower mean levels of Hb (11.45 ± 0.39 vs. 13.09 ± 0.46 g/dL; p &lt; 0.001), iron (70.14 ± 7.85 vs. 94.42 ± 5.61 µg/dL; p &lt; 0.001) and ferritin (39.34 ± 3.71 vs. 48.09 ± 5.31 ng/mL), all with p &lt; 0.001. Serum levels of selenium (67.11 ± 5.53 vs. 71.45 ± 4.05 µg/L), zinc (86.07 ± 3.98 vs. 88.87 ± 2.03 µg/L), copper (90.71 ± 3.48 vs. 104.84 ± 5.38 µg/L), and calcium (8.61 ± 0.28 vs. 9.11 ± 0.27 mg/dL) were significantly reduced in women with hair loss (p &lt; 0.001). Thyroid hormones were also significantly lower in the hair loss group, including TSH (1.74 ± 0.25 vs. 2.35 ± 0.39 µIU/mL) and FREE T4 (1.11 ± 0.11 vs. 1.32 ± 0.12 ng/dL), despite remaining within the normal reference ranges. Patients also showed lower serum folate (6.17 ± 0.63 vs. 6.96 ± 0.41 ng/mL), vitamin B12 (185.52 ± 35.27 vs. 258.30 ± 52.84 pg/mL), and vitamin D (26.32 ± 2.98 vs. 32.20 ± 3.76 ng/dL) levels (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Hair loss in females is significantly associated with reduced levels of circulating hemoglobin, iron, copper, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, thyroid-stimulating hormone and FREE T4 hormone.