The effect of zinc supplements on lipoproteins and copper status

As part of a study to determine the effect of 150 mg zinc/day on plasma lipoproteins, healthy young female (n = 26; mean age 27 years) and male (n = 21; mean age 28 years) volunteers took part in a double-blind cross-over trial lasting 12 weeks. During 6 weeks of supplementation, plasma Zn rose significantly in both groups, indicating compliance. Plasma total cholesterol remained unchanged in both males and females. However, mean LDL-cholesterol decreased from 2.38 to 2.17 mmol/1 in females and there was a trend for total HDL-cholesterol to be redistributed in that HDL₂ rose and HDL₃ fell slightly. In parallel with these changes in females, Zn supplements reduced the ferroxidase activity of serum caeruloplasmin (from 13.0 to 11.3 U/ml) and the antioxidant activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) (from 4557 to 3638 U/g Hb) and CuZn E-SOD (from 2184 to 1672 U/g Hb). Plasma Cu and haematocrit were unaffected. No such changes were seen in males in either lipoproteins or these indicators of Cu status. Since the females were lighter than the males but received the same dose, a dose-response effect rather than a sex difference cannot be ruled out. Overall, Zn supplements significantly decrease a major risk factor for CHD in females but reduced their Cu status.     

Zinc status and growth of children undergoing treatment for phenylketonuria

Children with phenylketonuria (PKU) are treated with semi-synthetic diets restricted in phenylalanine. Low-phenylalanine or phenylalanine-free formulae provide the majority of protein and energy in the diet while phenylalanine requirements are met by low-protein natural foods. Because of the restriction of natural protein sources in this diet, the study assessed the zinc nutrition of 22 treated children with PKU (aged from 1 month to 8 1/2 years) and correlated linear growth with zinc status.The mean (±SE) plasma zinc concentration of the PKU population was 66.6±3.3 µg/dl. The mean (±SE) hair zinc concentration was 70.2±11.5 µg/g. The mean plasma and hair zinc concentrations of the PKU population were significantly different (p<0.05) when compared with mean (±SE) normal values of 84.2±2.9 µg/dl and 130.7±8.3 µg/g, respectively. The mean (±SD) dietary zinc intake of 10 PKU patients was 8.56±2.68 mg/day. No significant differences (p<0.123) were found when the mean zinc intake was compared with National Academy of Sciences Recommended Dietary Allowance for age of 10 mg/day. No significant correlations were found when plasma and hair zinc concentrations were plotted with height percentiles. Further studies are required to assess the effects of zinc supplementation and the bioavailability of zinc from low-phenylalanine diets.     

氟骨症患儿血锌铁钙镁铜磷水平测定

目的了解贵州省织金县燃煤型氟中毒重病区儿童血液中锌、铁、钙、镁、铜、磷的变化情况。方法对织金县燃煤型氟中毒重病区5所小学6—15岁在校学生氟骨症患儿112例（病例组）、轻病区无氟骨症儿童92例（轻病区对照组），非病区儿童20例（健康对照组）进行血液中锌、铁、钙、镁、铜、磷及尿氟测定，并进行比较分析。结果病例组体内微量元素（锌、铁、钙、镁、铜）低于健康对照组（P〈0．05）；轻病区对照组介于病例组和健康对照组之间。重病区病例组儿童尿氟高于健康对照组，轻病区对照组介于病例组和健康对照组之间，但组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。病例组血磷高于健康对照组（P〈0．05）。结论高氟摄入可引起体内血锌、铁、钙、镁、铜的降低，血磷升高，同时使骨骼发生病变，严重影响儿童的生长发育。     

Growth, zinc and copper nutritional status of male premature infants with different zinc intake

Zinc is an essential nutrient for growth and low intake can result in growth retardation. However, high zinc intake can affect copper metabolism. Therefore, data from a study of 10 male premature infants fed a cow's milk-based formula nonfortified with zinc (mean +/- SD = 1.4 +/- 0.1 mg X l-1) were compared with data of 10 similar infants fed the same formula fortified with zinc (4.1 +/- 0.3 mg X l-1). Growth, food intake, zinc and copper nutritional status were studied from 6 through 122 days of age. No differences in gain of weight, length and head circumference and in food intake were found. Serum zinc concentration was significantly (p less than 0.05) and hair zinc concentration was slightly higher in the infants fed the zinc-fortified formula at 122 days of age. Copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations in serum and hair copper concentration were similar in both groups at 122 days of age. The results suggest that feeding a formula nonfortified with zinc did not affect growth of male premature infants. Feeding a zinc-fortified formula on the other hand had no influence on copper nutritional status.     

迁延性腹泻患儿血锌变化及补锌治疗效果评价

目的探讨迁延性腹泻患儿血清锌水平变化及补锌治疗对迁延性腹泻的疗效。方法收集2007～2010年因迁延性腹泻在我院住院的患儿76例及同期在儿童保健科体检的健康儿童213例的末梢血,按年龄分组测定血锌,比较两组的血锌水平;并将迁延性腹泻患儿随机分为补锌治疗组40例,常规治疗组36例,常规治疗组患儿给予蒙脱石散、微生态制剂及补液等治疗;补锌治疗组在常规治疗的基础上口服葡萄糖酸锌片20 mg/d(6个月以下者10 mg/d),连续治疗14 d,治疗后检测血锌水平。对腹泻组患儿于出院后随访3个月,观察其腹泻再发生次数、体重增长等情况。结果 (1)迁延性腹泻患儿血锌水平明显低于本地区同龄健康儿童血锌水平(P0.01);(2)治疗总有效率补锌治疗组为95.0%,常规治疗组为77.8%,补锌组高于常规治疗组(P0.05);(3)疗程补锌治疗组为(8.3±2.8)d,常规治疗组为(11.6±3.1)d,补锌组短于常规治疗组(P0.01);(4)补锌治疗组患儿治疗后血锌值与健康对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(5)出院后3个月内,补锌组患儿再发生腹泻(2.3±1.1)人次,常规治疗组再发生腹泻(4.6±2.3)人次,补锌组少于常规治疗组(P0.01);(6)合并营养不良者,补锌能增加其体重。结论迁延性腹泻患儿血锌水平降低,补锌可提高其临床疗效及缩短疗程。     

Venoms, copper, and zinc in the treatment of arthritis

This article discusses the use of venoms, copper, and zinc in the treatment of arthritis. The author examines the history and effectiveness of viper, bee, and ant venoms in order to determine whether these natural ingredients in anti-inflammatory medications help relieve a patient's symptoms. Copper and zinc studies may offer therapeutic benefits, but there is still no solid consensus on the potential role of these elements in treating arthritis.     

The zinc, copper, and selenium status of a selected sample of Canadian elderly women

The zinc, copper, and selenium status of 90 noninstitutionalized Canadian elderly women (M age = 70.3 years) in a university community and consuming self-selected diets was assessed using hair and serum trace element levels and dietary trace element intakes. Mean (+/- SD) serum zinc and copper levels (analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, AA) were 1.09 +/- 0.13 and 1.22 +/- 0.29 micrograms/ml, respectively. Mean serum selenium (+/- SD) (analyzed via instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was 0.115 +/- 0.03 micrograms/ml. Median hair trace element values, analyzed via INAA, were 156 for zinc, 12.8 for copper, and 0.63 micrograms/g for selenium. Mean (+/- SD) daily dietary intakes determined via chemical analysis of 1-day diet duplicates were 1.2 +/- .06 mg/d for copper (via AA), 7.6 +/- 3.3 mg/d and 77.6 +/- 44.5 micrograms/d for zinc and selenium (via INAA), respectively, whereas mean copper and zinc intakes (+/- SD) calculated from 3-day records were 1.6 +/- 0.7 and 10.1 +/- 3.5 mg/day, respectively. Median hair and serum trace element values were above the levels associated with deficiencies. Thus the zinc, copper and selenium status of these elderly women appeared adequate.     

Serum zinc, copper, and selenium levels in inflammatory bowel disease: effect of total enteral nutrition on trace element status

Serum levels of zinc, copper, and selenium, and alkaline phosphatase activity were prospectively studied in 29 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Fifteen patients had extensive active colitis (active colitis group). Seven patients had active, and seven cases inactive small bowel or ileocecal Crohn's disease (small bowel disease group). Ninety-three healthy subjects acted as controls. Serum trace element levels were considered in relation to vitamin A and E levels, nutritional parameters, the activity of the disease, and the recent intake of steroids. The effect of total enteral nutrition on serum trace elements was studied in seven cases. Serum zinc levels were lower and serum copper levels higher in the active colitis group than in controls (p = 0.0007, and p = 0.02, respectively). More than 50% of patients with active colonic or small bowel disease showed zinc levels below the 15th percentile of the control group. Serum zinc levels correlated with plasma vitamin A in acute colitis (r = 0.67; p = 0.006), and with both serum albumin concentration (r = 0.76; p = 0.002) and disease activity score (r = -0.67, p = 0.009) in patients with small bowel disease. The copper:zinc ratio was higher in the active colitis group than in controls (p = 0.002). In spite of the increase in serum albumin levels and the decrease in disease activity, serum zinc levels remained low after total enteral nutrition. The implications of the abnormal trace element status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are discussed.     

The content of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, lead and chromium in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The blood concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, lead and chromium were measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in a "normal" control group. The values of hemoglobin and the effect of some drugs on the metals studied were also estimated. In metal analyses the atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique was used. The mean concentration of copper in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significantly higher than in the control group. This was not true in females taking conteceptive drugs that cause elevated serum copper concentrations. Chromium concentrations were significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean concentrations of zinc was higher in rheumatoid females than in female controls. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium and lead were not found to be different in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from those in the control group.     

Red cell and plasma calcium, copper and zinc in beta-thalassemia/hemoglobin E

Beta-thalassemia/Hb E is a genetic disease prevalent in Thailand. This study has used atomic absorption spectroscopy to evaluate red cell and plasma calcium, copper and zinc in patients with beta-thalassemia/Hb E, both splenectomized and non-splenectomized. The levels of these trace elements in both red cells and plasma were different between the non-thalassemic controls and the disease patients. The most prominent result was that calcium concentration in red cells increased significantly in thalassemia subjects, particularly in splenectomized cases. These results might reflect the abnormal trace element metabolism and defects in the calcium transport system of the red cell membrane in thalassemia.     

Effect of total parenteral nutrition on the zinc, copper, and manganese status of patients with catabolic disease

The zinc, copper, and manganese concentrations in liver and muscle and the serum zinc were measured in 24 malnourished patients before and after 10-12 days' parenteral nutrition with 3 different alimentation programs. The nutrition programs contained similar trace element substitutions. Malnutrition caused by different catabolic diseases resulted in an increase of zinc and copper contents in the liver and a rise of serum zinc in many patients and in a decrease of muscle zinc concentration in certain patients. Parenteral nutrition of any kind resulted in a decrease of liver zinc and copper content and of serum zinc, yielding subnormal zinc values in 25-58% of the patients in spite of a daily substitution of 1.9 mg zinc. There was no significant change in the manganese status because of malnutrition or parenteral alimentation. It is concluded that the serum zinc concentration does not show the real zinc status of the body in the patients with catabolism, that in certain catabolic diseases zinc and copper are redistributed to the liver, that certain catabolic diseases cause a zinc depletion of the muscle, that parenteral nutrition results in a fall of zinc and copper in the liver and in a decrease of serum zinc, which may be harmful from the healing point of view, and that the daily substitution of zinc used in this study, 1.9 mg/day, is not sufficient during parenteral nutrition of catabolic patients.     

轮状病毒肠炎患儿血锌水平变化及补锌治疗的效果观察

目的观察轮状病毒（RV）肠炎患儿血锌水平变化情况及补锌治疗的效果。方法选择RV肠炎患儿128例,随机分为常规治疗组和补锌治疗组各64例。常规治疗组主要给予补液及口服蒙脱石散治疗,补锌治疗组在常规治疗基础上给予葡萄糖酸锌口服液治疗。观察两组治疗前后血锌水平的变化情况,比较两组治疗总有效率、临床症状消失时间及住院天数。结果 RV肠炎补锌组治疗后与治疗前和常规治疗组治疗后比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;两组总有效率、发热时间、腹泻时间及住院时间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而呕吐持续时间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论 RV肠炎对血清锌代谢影响较大,补锌可能是治疗和预防轮状病毒肠炎的一种有效辅助方法。     

Dermatoglyphic study in children with phenylketonuria

Summary Dermatoglyphic findings in 19 patients with phenylketonuria (11 male and 8 female), 39 of their relatives (18 female and 21 male) and 500 controls (TRC) were not statistically significant among the three groups studied. There was no definite relationship between the phenylketonuric gene and the dermatoglyphic patterns.The parents of half the phenylketonuria cases are not consanguineous; thus the phenylketonuria gene may be more frequent in Turkey than other European countries.     

Serum copper, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and potassium changes following acute myocardial infarction

When analyzed within seventy-two hours of admission to the coronary care unit, the mean values of serum copper and magnesium were lower in patients with acute myocardial infarction than in noncardiac patients. Zinc values showed no difference. Because the reduction of serum copper in males was statistically significant, the authors suggest that a lowering of serum copper, especially in males, can be useful in the diagnosis of recent infarction and could possibly have other implications. Significant elevations of serum calcium and of serum potassium were also demonstrated.     

Maternal-foetal status of copper,iron, molybdenum,selenium and zinc in obese gestational diabetic pregnancies

Obesity is well known to be a contributory risk factor for several disease states, including diabetes mellitus. Paucity of data on maternal-foetal status of essential trace elements in obese diabetic pregnancies prompted us to undertake this study. Maternal venous and umbilical arterial and venous blood samples were collected from obese gestational diabetic patients (Body Mass Index (BMI) >30) and control obese pregnant women (BMI>30) at time of spontaneous delivery or caesarean sections and concentrations of essential trace elements such as Cu, Fe, Mo, Se and Zn were determined in various samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total antioxidant (TAO) in maternal and umbilical blood were assessed using appropriate reagent kits. Maternal-foetal disposition and exchange parameters of elements studied were assessed using established criteria. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mo, Se and Zn in serum of control obese pregnant women (n=10) averaged 2404, 2663, 11.0, 89.0 and 666 μg/l respectively, while in the obese diabetic group (n=11), the corresponding values averaged 2441, 2580, 13.3, 85.1 and 610 μg/l respectively. Activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GPX and TAO were not significantly different in maternal veins of control and diabetic groups. Varying differences were noted in the case of antioxidant enzyme activities in umbilical blood samples of control and study groups. We conclude that obesity is not associated with significant alterations in antioxidant enzyme status in gestational diabetes and only with relatively minor alterations in status of some essential trace elements.     

氟铝联合对大鼠全血锌、铁、钙、镁、铜的影响

目的 探讨过量氟、铝及其联合作用对大鼠全血锌(Zn)、铁(Fe)、钙(Ca)、镁(Mg)、铜(Cu)的影响.方法 48只SD大鼠按体质量随机分为4组:对照组、高铝组、高氟组、高氟铝组,饮水含铝量分别为0,90、0.90 mg/L:饲料含氟量分别为5.2、5.2、106.0、106.0 mg/kg,含铝量分别为6.8、6.8 19.7、19.7 mg/kg;90 d后原子吸收光谱分析法测定全血Zn、Fe、Ca、Mg、Cu水平.结果 组间比较,全血含Zn、Fe、Mg、Cu量差异有统计学意义(F值分别为46.25、14.74、6.10、Z93,P<0.05),而全血含Ca量未见明显改变(F=2.81,P>0.05).析因分析显示.高铝摄入明显降低全血含Zn、Fe、Mg量(F值分别为42.66、5.41、7.04,P<0.05),高氟摄人明显降低全血含Zn、Fe、Mg、Cu量(F值分别为64.50、37.90、9.75、6.74,P<0.05),氟铝联合对全血含Zn量有交互作用(F:31.59,P<0.05),Fe、Ca、Mg、Cu均未见明显交互作用(F值分别为0.91、1.63、1.51、0.00,P>0.05).与对照组全血含Zn、Fe、Mg、Cu量[(131.30±13.86)μmol/L,(10.24±1.02)、(1.71±0.19)mmol/L,(20.43±4.42)μmol/L]比较,高铝组全血含Zn量[(90.84±9.98)μmol/L]明显降低(P<0.05),高氟组全血含Zn、Fe、Mg量[(85.85±10.92)μmol/L,(8.49±0.68)、(1.52±0.13)mmol/L]也明显降低(P<0.05),高氟铝组全血含Zn、Fe、Mg、Cu量[(82.82±11.00)μmol/L,(8.16±0.45)、(1.46±0.09)mmol/L,(15.69±2.38)μmol/L]均明显降低(P<0.05);与高铝组[(9.43±1.09)mmool/L]比较,高氟铝组全血含Fe量[(8.16±0.45)mmol/L]明显降低(P<0.05).结论 过量氟能引起全血含Zn Fe、Mg、Cu量下降,过量铝能引起全血含Zn、Fe、Mg量降低;氟铝联合对大鼠全血含Ca量无影响,仅对全血含Zn量有明显交互作用.     

Evaluation of whole blood zinc and copper levels in children with autism spectrum disorder

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are important trace elements for cognitive development and normal neurological functioning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurological disorder, which has previously been associated with the levels of some trace elements in the blood. However, clinical data regarding the potential implication of Zn and Cu in patients with ASD are still insufficient. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the whole blood levels of Zn and Cu in a cohort of 28 children with ASD and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Whole blood Zn and Cu levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry. Both in the control and in the ASD group, the values of whole blood Cu and Zn were characterized by a Gaussian distribution. The results indicate that the ASD children were characterized by ~10 % (p = 0.005) and ~12 % (p = 0.015) lower levels of whole blood Zn and Zn/Cu ratio, respectively, in comparison to controls. No significant difference in whole blood Cu was observed. However, Cu/Zn ratio was ~15 % (p = 0.008) higher in ASD children than that in the control ones. The results of the present study may be indicative of Zn deficiency in ASD children. Taking into account Zn-mediated up-regulation of metallothionein (MT) gene expression, these findings suggest a possible alteration in the functioning of the neuroprotective MT system. However, further investigations are required to test this hypothesis.     

Serum levels of zinc, copper and selenium in patients with Wilson's disease treated with zinc

Zinc administered on a long-term basis in excess to patients with Wilson a disease blocks in a significant way copper absorption from the gut, prevents its accumulation and toxic action in the organism. The authors investigated the effect of its long-term administration on the plasma concentration of copper, zinc, and selenium, on the superoxide dismutase activity in red blood cells and glutathione peroxidase activity in whole blood. In seven patients with Wilson a disease treated with zinc sulphate, 136 mg of elemental zinc for 1.5 years (18 months), the authors assessed the plasma concentration of zinc, copper, selenium and ceruloplasmin, the activity of superoxide dismutase in red blood cells, the activity of glutathione peroxidase in whole blood and the urinary excretion of zinc and copper in 24 hours. Envisaged findings with regard to the diagnosis of the investigated patients and their treatment: elevated plasma zinc concentration and increased urinary excretion, reduced copper and ceruloplasmin plasma concentration and increased urinary copper excretion. The authors recorded also a significantly elevated selenium plasma concentration and a significantly higher concentration of superoxide dismutase in red blood cells (p < 0.05). The increase of the glutathione peroxidase activity in whole blood in the investigated patients was not significant (p < 0.05). Changes in the values of the investigated parameters in patients with Wilson s disease treated on a long-term basis with zinc indicate the possible mutual interaction of zinc with other trace elements with an impact on the activity of the corresponding metalloenzymes, i.e. in the sphere in antioxidant systems.