Effects of oral zinc supplementation on serum leptin levels in Ache males of eastern Paraguay

Significant population variation has been demonstrated in serum leptin levels, independent of adiposity. Included within these populations, Ache males have significantly lower leptin levels compared to American subjects with comparable adiposity. The underlying causes of these differences are not understood but zinc has been shown to be an important regulator of leptin in humans and rodents. Zinc deficiency is associated with somatic wasting and significant declines in circulating leptin levels. Zinc deficiency is common in underdeveloped regions and may therefore contribute to low leptin levels among Ache men. To ascertain the potential role of zinc on Ache male leptin profiles, zinc supplementation was conducted to observe leptin responsiveness. Ache males were given daily oral zinc supplementation (50mg zinc gluconate) (n = 8) or placebo (n = 6) for 10 days. Serum leptin levels were measured on the first and last days of the treatment/placebo period. Despite supplementation exceeding triple the USDA recommended daily requirements, serum leptin levels did not change in the zinc‐supplemented group (P = 0.61) and were not significantly different from males receiving placebo (P = 0.72). It is concluded that zinc is not likely to be a contributing factor in male Ache leptin profiles and that other sources of variation such as chronic energetic stresses affecting leptin production and perhaps receptor number or sensitivity should be considered. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:681–687, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Serum zinc and zinc containing enzymes in diabetes mellitus

Serum zinc and levels of certain zinc containing enzymes like 'lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and serum insulin were studied in twenty five normal and fifty non insulin dependent diabetics. Zinc estimation was done bp atomic absorption spectrophotometry, insulin by radioimmunoassay and the enzymes by kinetic method. The non insulin dependent diabetic individuals showed significant hypozincaemia (P less than 0.001) associated with significant increase in serum insulin and lactate dehydrogenase level (P less than 0.001). Malate dehydrogenase level was markedly decreased (P less than 0.001). There was no significant variation in serum total proteins, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels.     

Changes in cuticle of scalp hair in mild acquired zinc deficiency: A study using scanning electron microscopy

We herein report a case of zinc deficiency in a 5-month-old Japanese girl. Red crusted papules were observed on the periorificial areas, feet, and buttocks. Although there was no hair loss, the zinc concentration in the infant's serum was 24g/dl, which was increased by an oral zinc supplement. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) obseryation revealed that the scalp hair had an irregularly shaped cuticle and was unusually small and thin in diameter. These changes occurred before the onset of cutaneous symptoms, and remained after the skin manifestations had disappeared. The hair cuticle pattern and hair thickness returned to normal 2 months after zinc administration, while the skin eruptions disappeared more rapidly. It is suggested that damage to scalp hair in patients with mild acquired zinc deficiency takes place before the appearance of skin eruptions and persists after its disappearance, and that recovery from damage to the scalp hair takes place more slowly than that from a skin eruption.     

Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study.

Published data on the bioavailability of various Mg preparations is too fragmented and scanty to inform proper choice of Mg preparation for clinical studies. In this study, the relative bioavailability of three preparations of Mg (amino-acid chelate, citrate and oxide) were compared at a daily dose of 300 mg of elemental Mg in 46 healthy individuals. The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention, of 60 days duration. Urine, blood and saliva samples were taken at baseline, 24 h after the first Mg supplement was taken ('acute' supplementation) and after 60 days of daily Mg consumption ('chronic' supplementation). Results showed that supplementation of the organic forms of Mg (citrate and amino-acid chelate) showed greater absorption (P = 0.033) at 60 days than MgO, as assessed by the 24-h urinary Mg excretion. Mg citrate led to the greatest mean serum Mg concentration compared with other treatments following both acute (P = 0.026) and chronic (P = 0.006) supplementation. Furthermore, although mean erythrocyte Mg concentration showed no differences among groups, chronic Mg citrate supplementation resulted in the greatest (P = 0.027) mean salivary Mg concentration compared with all other treatments. Mg oxide supplementation resulted in no differences compared to placebo. We conclude that a daily supplementation with Mg citrate shows superior bioavailability after 60 days of treatment when compared with other treatments studied.     

Oral zinc therapy in diabetic neuropathy

The present double blind randomized study was conducted on 50 subjects; 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (Group--I); 15 patients of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy who received placebo for 6 weeks (Group--IIA); and 15 patients of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy who were given supplemental zinc sulphate (660 mg) for 6 weeks (Group--IIB). Serum zinc level, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were estimated on day 0 and after 6 weeks in all subjects. Serum zinc levels were significantly low (p < 0.001) in group IIA and IIB as compared to healthy controls (Group--I) at baseline. After 6 weeks the change in pre and post therapy values of FBS, PPBS and MNCV (median and common peroneal nerve) were highly significant (P = < 0.001) for group IIB alone with insignificant change (P = > 0.05) in group IIA. No improvement (P = > 0.05) in autonomic dysfunction was observed in either groups. Therefore, oral zinc supplementation helps in achieving better glycemic control and improvement in severity of peripheral neuropathy as assessed by MNCV.     

Relationships of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium levels versus hematopoiesis and iron parameters in healthy adolescents

To investigate the relationships of trace element concentrations vs hematopoiesis and iron parameters, we measured lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, and ferritin levels in 251 healthy adolescents. Concentrations of trace metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. There were no significant gender-related differences in serum copper or serum cadmium concentrations. However, blood lead and serum zinc levels were significantly higher in males than females (3.82+/- 1.24 and 118.4 +/- 43.7 microg/dl vs 2.86+/- 1.06 and 83.5+/- 35.2 microg/dl, p<0.05, respectively). Subjects with elevated lead and copper concentrations exhibited significantly higher leukocyte counts and significantly lower serum iron levels than those with decreased lead and copper concentrations, but no significant differences were observed in blood erythrocyte counts or hemoglobin levels between the 2 groups. Blood lead concentrations were 2-fold higher in male adolescents with leukocytes >9.1 x 10(3)/microl than in those with leukocytes <4.3 x 10(3)/microl (5.04+/- 1.67 microg/dl vs 2.51+/- 0.75 microg/dl, p<0.05). Leukocyte counts had significant correlations with blood lead (r=0.39, p<0.05) and serum copper (r=0.26, p<0.05) in males and zinc (r=0.28, p <0.05) in females. Serum iron levels were inversely correlated with blood lead and serum copper concentrations but were not correlated with serum zinc or cadmium levels. In short, blood lead and serum copper concentrations have important relationships to leukocyte counts and iron parameters in adolescents.     

Serum biochemical assessment of hepatic and renal functions of rats during oral exposure to glyphosate with zinc

A subchronic toxicity study was carried out to assess hepatic and renal functions of rats during oral exposure to glyphosate with zinc for the period of 8 weeks. Forty-eight Wistar rats used for the study were randomized into six groups of eight Wistar rats each, and each group had equal number of male and female Wistar rats. The Wistar rats administered with distilled water at 2 ml/kg body weight served as the control group (DW); others were administered with zinc at 50 mg/kg body weight (Z) group, glyphosate at 375 mg/kg body weight (G) group, a combination of zinc and glyphosate at 50 and 375 mg/kg body weight, respectively (Z?+?G), group, glyphosate at 14.4 mg/kg body weight (GC) group, and a combination of zinc and glyphosate at 50 and 14.4 mg/kg body weight, respectively (Z?+?GC), group. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected from each rats; from which, sera samples were obtained and assayed for total protein, albumin, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, \( \mathrm{HCO}_3^{-} \) , Ca²⁺, \( \mathrm{PO}_4^{-} \) , urea and creatinine using autoanalyzer, and globulin was calculated. The albumin concentration was significantly high (p?<?0.05) in GC group compared to DW group, and this change was ameliorated following supplementation with zinc. The total protein and globulin concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups (p?>?0.05), and the relative changes were ameliorated by supplementation with zinc. The alkaline phosphatase activity was relatively low in GC group; however, supplementation with zinc in Z?+?GC group made it to be significantly high (p?<?0.05) compared to GC group. The alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in G and GC groups were relatively high compared to DW group, which were ameliorated by supplementation with zinc. The relatively low Ca²⁺ concentration in G and GC groups compared to DW were ameliorated in Z?+?G group, and it was significantly high in Z?+?GC group at p?<?0.01 compared to DW, p?<?0.001 compared to G and GC groups and p?<?0.05 compared to Z?+?G group. There were only slight changes in the electrolytes concentrations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, \( \mathrm{HCO}_3^{-} \) and \( \mathrm{PO}_4^{-} \) ), which were differentially ameliorated by zinc supplementation. The reasons for the various changes recorded were discussed. It was concluded that subchronic oral exposure to glyphosate caused both hepatic and renal functions toxicity in rats, which were ameliorated by zinc supplementation.     

Study of magnesium bioavailability from ten organic and inorganic Mg salts in Mg-depleted rats using a stable isotope approach.

Literature data on the bioavailability of various Mg forms provide scarce information on the best Mg salt to be used in animal and human supplementation. This study aimed to investigate the bioavailability of different forms of Mg in rats using Mg stable isotopes. Eighty male Wistar rats aged 6 weeks were fed a semi-purified Mg-depleted diet for three weeks. The rats were then randomised into ten groups and received, for two more weeks, the same diet repleted with Mg (550 mg Mg/kg) as: oxide, chloride, sulphate, carbonate, acetate, pidolate, citrate, gluconate, lactate or aspartate. After 10 days of Mg-repleted diet, the rats received orally 1.8 mg of an enriched 26Mg. Faeces and urine were then collected for 4 consecutive days. Isotope ratios in faeces and urine were determined. The Mg absorption values obtained varied from 50% to 67%. Organic Mg salts were slightly more available than inorganic Mg salts. Mg gluconate exhibited the highest Mg bioavailability of the ten Mg salts studied. Urinary 26Mg excretion varied from 0.20 mg to 0.33 mg, and feeding with the organic pidolate, citrate, gluconate and aspartate salts resulted in higher urinary 26Mg excretion than with inorganic salts. Ultimately, 26Mg retention was higher in the rats receiving the organic salts such as gluconate, lactate and aspartate than in those receiving the inorganic salts. Taken together, these results indicate that 26Mg is sufficiently bioavailable from the ten different Mg salts studied in the present experiment, although Mg gluconate exhibited the highest bioavailability under these experimental conditions.     

The effects of coadministration of dietary copper and zinc supplements on atherosclerosis, antioxidant enzymes and indices of lipid peroxidation in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

It has previously been shown that dietary copper can modulate the extent of atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta of cholesterol-fed rabbits. The metabolism of copper and zinc are closely related, and it has been hypothesized that the balance of dietary copper to zinc may be important in determining coronary risk. Hence, we have investigated the interaction between dietary copper and zinc in atherogenesis in the New Zealand White rabbit. Juvenile male rabbits were randomly allocated to eight groups. Four groups were fed a normal chow diet with zinc (0.5%, w/w), copper (0.2%, w/w), copper plus zinc or neither in their drinking water for 12 weeks. Four other groups were fed a diet containing 0.25-1% (w/w) cholesterol plus zinc, copper, both or neither. Serum cholesterol of individual animals was maintained at approximately 20 mmol/l. Integrated plasma cholesterol levels were similar for all groups receiving cholesterol and significantly higher than those in the chow-fed groups (P < 0.001). Aortic copper concentrations were higher in the animals receiving cholesterol diets with copper compared to rabbits receiving normal chow and copper (P < 0.001). Aortic zinc content was significantly higher in cholesterol-fed rabbits supplemented with zinc alone or with copper than in those fed cholesterol alone (P < 0.001). Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were significantly higher in groups receiving cholesterol, irrespective of their trace element supplementation (P < 0.001). However, trace element supplementation increased the level significantly (P < 0.05). Trace element supplements did not appear to affect erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in the cholesterol-fed animals; however, zinc supplementation was associated with a significant increase in the enzyme in chow-fed animals (P < 0.05). The activity of the enzyme per mg of protein in aortic tissue was higher in animals receiving copper in the presence of cholesterol (P < 0.05) but not significantly so in its absence. Dietary trace element supplementation in cholesterol-fed animals was associated with a significant reduction in aortic lesion area. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and FOX concentrations were both significantly higher in the cholesterol-fed rabbits compared with the animals that fed on a chow diet (P < 0.001), and these were reduced significantly by dietary copper or zinc supplementation (P < 0.001). Hence, dietary supplements of copper or zinc at the doses used both inhibited aortic atherogenesis in the cholesterol-fed rabbits, although there was no significant additional effect when given in combination.     

Serum zinc levels in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory infections in the north-central region of Nigeria

Background

Macronutrient deficiency has continued to attract significant research interest, where as the import of micronutrients like zinc has only recently become the focus of interest. Thus against the background of a dearth of data on zinc levels in Nigerian children with Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI), this study was carried out in Ilorin, Nigeria to determine the serum zinc levels in hospitalized children with ALRI. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional hospital based study involving 120 children aged two months to five years with ALRI recruited as subjects, and 120 age-appropriate controls without ALRI was carried out. Socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. The serum zinc was analyzed with a Jenway™ spectrophotometer after an initial preparation with the QuantiChrom™ zinc assay kit.

Results

The male/ female ratio was 1.6:1. The mean (SD) serum zinc level in subjects with ALRI of 18.7(11.8)µg/dl was significantly lower than the corresponding value of 53.1(18.5)µg/dl recorded in the controls, p=0.001. The prevalence of 98.3% for low serum zinc levels recorded in children with ALRI was significantly higher than that recorded in controls of 64.2%, p=0.001.

Conclusion

Low serum zinc levels are significantly associated with ALRI. There is a need to determine whether hospitalized children managed for ALRI might benefit from post discharge zinc supplementation.     

A comparative study of the prevalence of zinc deficiency among children with acute diarrhoea in SouthWestern Nigeria

BackgroundZinc deficiency has been associated with increased incidence, severity and duration of childhood diarrhoea.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among under-five children with acute diarrhoea.MethodsThe study was a comparative cross-sectional study in which serum zinc levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in under-five children with acute diarrhoea and in apparently healthy contols. Two hundred and fifty children with acute diarrhoea and 250 controls were studied at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria.ResultsThe diarrhoea patients had a mean ± SD serum zinc level of 78.8 ± 35.6 µg/dl, while the controls had a mean of 107.3 ± 46.8 µg/dl. The mean serum zinc level was significantly lower in the patients than the controls (t = -7.66; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of zinc deficiency was significantly higher among the patients (30.4% versus 12.4% in the controls; OR = 3.09; 95% CI = 1.94 – 4.90; χ2 = 24.08; p < 0.001). Low social class was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of zinc deficiency among the patients (p = 0.013).ConclusionZinc deficiency is significantly associated with diarrhoea among under-five children in the study community. Hence, routine zinc supplementation should be encouraged for the treatment of diarrhoea, and availability should be ensured.     

Comparison of effects of chronic inflammation and long-term prednisolone administration on zinc metabolism in rats

It is well known that plasma zinc is depressed in animals following administration of endotoxin, endogenous pyrogen, interleukin-1, and glucocorticoids. The modification is related to an induction of liver metallothionein causing an accumulation of the element in this organ. The changes in zinc metabolism induced by adjuvant arthritis in rats evidenced a redistribution of body zinc with a rapid and sustained decrease in plasma zinc that occurred simultaneously with an increase in liver zinc levels, and slower modification in erythrocyte and femur zinc concentrations. These effects were compared to those induced by a long-term corticosteroid administration in healthy rats. Male Wistar rats received either a commercially available complete maintenance diet or the same diet enriched with prednisolone at a level providing 1 mg prednisolone/kg body weight. Groups of animals were sacrificed after 3 or 5 weeks' treatment. Ingested food quantity, total body weight, total serum proteins and serum albumin were similar in treated and control rats. No significant modifications in parameters of zinc status could be observed after 3 weeks of treatment. However after 5 weeks, plasma zinc was significantly lower in treated rats as compared to controls, but modifications in liver, erythrocyte and femur zinc did not reach statistical significance. Changes induced by long-term corticosteroid administration are therefore less intense than those due to the inflammatory process of adjuvant arthritis.     

Pharmacokinetics of cefetamet pivoxil and interaction with cisapride and N-acetylcysteine

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cefetamet pivoxil and possible interaction with N -acetylcysteine and cisapride in healthy volunteers.
Method: In a double-blind, randomized three-way crossover study with 12 healthy male volunteers, serum and urine concentrations of cefetamet were determined over 12 h by a validated bioassay method after oral administration of 0.5 g cefetamet pivoxil and, randomly, placebo, 5 × 20 mg cisapride, or 0.6 g N -acetylcysteine.
Results: The study medications were well tolerated, although there were 10 cases of altered bowel movements, two cass of mild, transient headache and one case of increased serum transferase levels (AST and ALT). The mean peak serum level of cefetamet pivoxil in the placebo group was 4.86 ± 1.35 mg/L. The urine recovery/24 h in the placebo group was 41.9 ± 3.8% of the oral dose. The elimination half-life was 3.56 ± 0.92 h. N -acetylcysteine had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of cefetamet pivoxil. With concomitant administration of cisapride there was an accelerated absorption of cefetament pivoxil and a slightly increased C _max of cefetamet. The C _max values differed significantly ( p <0.05) only between the cisapride group (5.76 ± 1.50 mg/L) and the N -acetylcysteine group (4.53 ± 1.18 mg/L).
Conclusion: None of the small pharmacokinetic differences between the three groups is expected to have any relevance in the treatment of infectious diseases with cefetamet pivoxil.     

Einfluß einer Zinksubstitution auf Lymphozytensubsets und zelluläre Immunfunktionen bei Hämodialysepatienten

Summary Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis for end stage renal disease. Low plasma zinc levels have been associated with immunodepression in these patients. In a randomized, placebo controlled double-blind cross over study, plasma zinc levels, delayed hypersensivity to 7 Antigens (Merieux-Multitest), absolute lymphocyte counts, T- and B-lymphocytes, suppressor-T and helper T-cells and natural killer cells were studied in 25 hemodialysis patients before, during and after intravenous zinc supplementation for 8 weeks. The hemodialysis patients had significantly lower predialysis plasma zinc concentrations compared to 76 healthy controls (74±12 vs. 126 ± 28 mcg/dl,p<0.001). The plasma zinc concentrations increased to the normal range during the treatment period. Lymphocyte subtype analysis showed a significant decrease of suppressor-T cells and an increase of the helper-T/ suppressor-T ratio (2.09 ± 0.26 vs. 3.18 ± 0.48,p< 0.05) after zinc supplementation. Delayed hypersensivity to intradermal antigens increased significantly only after zinc treatment (2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 5.8 ± 1.7,p<0.05), not after placebo. The changes were reversible after finishing the zinc treatment. It is concluded, that plasma zinc levels are reduced in hemodialysis patients and that the substitution of zinc restores some of the depressed immune functions in these patients.

     

Alteration in serum and bone component findings induced in streptozotocin-diabetic rats is restored by zinc acexamate

The effect of zinc acexamate in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Rats received a single subcutaneous administration of STZ (6.0 mg/100 g body weight), and the animals were orally administered once daily for 14 days with zinc acexamate (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/100 g body weight). The administration of STZ caused a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride and calcium levels and a significant decrease in body weight, serum zinc and inorganic phosphorus levels, indicating diabetic condition. Moreover, calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues were significantly reduced in STZ-diabetic rats. The change in these serum and bone components of STZ-diabetic rats was significantly restored by the oral administration of zinc acexamate (2.5, 5 or 10 mg Zn/100 g body weight). The restoration of bone components was not seen by the oral administration of zinc sulfate (2.5 mg Zn/100 g) for 14 days. Moreover, when the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues obtained at 14 days after STZ administration were cultured for 48 h in a medium containing either vehicle or zinc acexamate (10(-5) M), the femoral calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in vitro. The effect of zinc acexamate was completely abolished in the presence of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. The present study demonstrates that the oral administration of zinc acexamate has a preventive effect on STZ-induced diabetic condition in rats, and that it can restorate bone loss of STZ-induced diabetes in vivo.     

Skin lesions in a 16-month-old toddler with impaired zinc absorption

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare, autosomal recessive condition which results from impaired zinc absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. We report a 16-month-old female patient with a 7-month history of periorificial and acral skin lesions. Diagnosing of Acrodermatitis enteropathica was established on the basis of the patient's history as well as clinical and laboratory findings (a lowered zinc level in the child's serum: 17.2μg/dL (N 70-160 μg/dL)). Rapid clinical improvement was observed right after launching zinc supplementation.     

Effects of raloxifene on serum malondialdehyde, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase levels in healthy postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between raloxifene administration and serum malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: In a randomized and placebo-controlled design, 80 women received either 60 mg/day raloxifene or placebo for 24 weeks. MDA, SOD, and GPx levels were assessed at 0,4,12, and 24 weeks. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Six women in the treatment arm and eight women in the placebo group discontinued the study. Mean serum MDA levels were significantly (p = 0.001) decreased from 11.4 nmol/ml at baseline to 8.9 nmol/ml at week 12 with raloxifene treatment. Mean erythrocyte SOD activity was significantly (p = 0.02) reduced from 1472 U/g Hb at baseline to 1173 U/g Hb at week 12 following raloxifene administration. Lowered serum MDA and erythrocyte SOD levels persisted during treatment. On contrary, erythrocyte GPx levels did not change significantly with raloxifene administration. CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene (60 mg/day) lowers serum MDA levels and erythrocyte SOD activity in postmenopausal women after 12 weeks of treatment. The clinical implications of these findings need to be determined.     

Gender differences in the relationship between serum zinc concentration and metabolic syndrome

Background: Zinc, a co-factor of antioxidant enzymes, may be involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Aim: To determine the association between serum zinc concentration and MetS in a population-based study.

Subjects and methods: In the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, serum zinc concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in 2626 adult participants. After removal of outliers, usable data was available for 2401 participants. Dietary zinc was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Results: Compared to those without the MetS, serum zinc concentration was significantly higher in men with syndrome (17.1?±?4.9 vs 16.5?±?4.6?μmol/L, p?=?0.035); however, values were comparable in females (16.1?±?4.8 vs 15.8?±?4.4, p?=?0.460). Men in tertile 3 of serum zinc had significantly higher chances of having MetS, even after multivariate adjustment (OR?=?1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?1.07–2.06, p?=?0.020). Women in tertile 2 of serum zinc had significantly lower chances of having MetS, which remained significant after multivariate adjustment (OR?=?0.68, 95% CI?=?0.47–0.99, p?=?0.046).

Conclusion: This study observed a gender difference between serum zinc and MetS, with higher levels being positively associated with MetS in men and having a protective effect in women. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of zinc status in the development of MetS.     

Differential effect of surgical injury and thermal burn on zinc metabolism in man

Summary Serum, erythrocyte and urinary zinc were serially measured during the early ten days following major surgery or thermal burns in 18 and 8 patients, respectively. Serum zinc gradually decreased and erythrocyte and urinary zinc increased during the first three postoperative or post-burn days. Thereafter, both serum and erythrocyte zinc gradually returned to preoperative levels in the patients subjected to surgery, while serum zinc continued to fall progressively despite a rapid restoration of erythrocyte zinc to control values, in the burned patients. It is suggested that in contrast to the early postoperative or post-burn hypozincemia, which may be attributed to a redistribution of zinc from plasma to tissue, continued decrease in serum zinc following thermal burns may indicate a mobilization of zinc to the burn site and eventually result in significant zinc depletion.     

Randomized controlled trial of zinc supplementation for persistent diarrhea in adults with HIV-1 infection

BACKGROUND: In children, zinc supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of diarrhea. METHODS: HIV-infected adults with > or =7 days of diarrhea recruited at 3 tertiary hospitals in Lima, Peru, received a zinc sulfate capsule containing 50 mg of elemental zinc twice daily or an identical placebo for 14 days. Outcomes included persistence of diarrhea at day 14 and time until cessation of diarrhea. RESULTS: The 81 subjects randomized to zinc and 78 randomized to placebo were comparable at baseline, except for higher prevalences of certain enteric pathogens in the zinc group; complete follow-up rates were 62% and 69%, respectively. Zinc concentrations were consistent with zinc deficiency at follow-up in 94% of placebo recipients and 66% of zinc recipients (P = 0.01). Persistence of diarrhea at day 14 according to follow-up interview (60% for zinc-treated patients and 57.4% for placebo-treated patients) or to patient diary (42.2% vs. 31.9%) did not differ significantly. Adjusting for enteric pathogens and CD4 count, the hazard ratio (HR) for zinc supplementation and cessation of diarrhea (according to the diaries) was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50 to 1.64). CONCLUSION: Supplemental zinc had no significant effect on the duration or remission of diarrhea in HIV-infected adults.