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Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease causes concentration of secretions and this affects the lungs and digestive system. These patients are exposed to zinc (zn) deficiency. In this review, we decided to investigate the status of zn in CF patients compared to control group. Also, the clinical trials that have so far performed zinc supplementation in these patients are examined. Method: ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane database were searched, up to December 2023, for studies that reported the association between zn levels of CF patients compared to a healthy control group. A random-effect model was used to compute the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analysis was done for region, sample and method of measurement, zinc supplementation and age. Result: Overall, meta-analysis of 9 studies (n = 383 participants) revealed that the zn levels were significantly lower in children and adolescents with CF compared with healthy subjects (WMD = −11.97 μg/dL, 95 % CI: −22.57 to −1.37; I2 = 92.83 %). Meta-analysis of 8 studies (n = 320 participants) revealed that the serum and plasma level of zn was significantly lower in CF patients compared with healthy subjects (WMD = −14.31 μg/dL, 95 % CI: −25.09 to −3.53; I2 = 88.14 %, P-heterogeneity

Impairment of both cellular zinc and redox homeostasis is a feature of several chronic diseases, including obesity. A significant two-way interaction exists between redox metabolism and the relatively redox-inert zinc ion. Redox metabolism critically influences zinc homeostasis and controls its cellular availability for various cellular functions by regulating zinc exchange from/to zinc-binding proteins. Zinc can regulate redox metabolism and exhibits multiple pro-antioxidant properties. On the other hand, even minor disturbances in zinc status and zinc homeostasis affect systemic and cellular redox homeostasis. At the cellular level, zinc homeostasis is regulated by a multi-layered machinery consisting of zinc-binding molecules, zinc sensors, and two selective families of zinc transporters, the Zinc Transporter (ZnT) and Zrt, Irt-like protein (ZIP). In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the mutual interaction between zinc and redox homeostasis in physiology and pathophysiology, pointing to the role of zinc in the alterations responsible for redox stress in obesity. Since zinc transporters primarily control zinc homeostasis, we describe how changes in the expression and activity of these zinc-regulating proteins are associated with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impairment of both cellular zinc and redox homeostasis is a feature of several chronic diseases, including obesity. A significant two-way interaction exists between redox metabolism and the relatively redox-inert zinc ion. Redox metabolism critically influences zinc homeostasis and controls its cellular availability for various cellular functions by regulating zinc exchange from/to zinc-binding proteins. Zinc can regulate redox metabolism and exhibits multiple pro-antioxidant properties. On the other hand, even minor disturbances in zinc status and zinc homeostasis affect systemic and cellular redox homeostasis. At the cellular level, zinc homeostasis is regulated by a multi-layered machinery consisting of zinc-binding molecules, zinc sensors, and two selective families of zinc transporters, the Zinc Transporter (ZnT) and Zrt, Irt-like protein (ZIP). In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the mutual interaction between zinc and redox homeostasis in physiology and pathophysiology, pointing to the role of zinc in the alterations responsible for redox stress in obesity. Since zinc transporters primarily control zinc homeostasis, we describe how changes in the expression and activity of these zinc-regulating proteins are associated with obesity.

A new variety of zinc biofortified wheat (Zincol-2016) was released in Pakistan in 2016. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of consuming Zincol-2016 wheat flour on biochemical and functional markers of zinc status in a population with widespread zinc deficiency. An individually-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross over design was used. Fifty households were recruited to participate in the study, with each household included at least one woman of reproductive age (16-49 years) who was neither pregnant nor breast feeding or currently taking nutritional supplements. All households were provided with control flour for an initial 2-week baseline period, followed by the intervention period where households were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive biofortified flour (group A; n = 25) and control flour (group B; n = 25) for 8-weeks, then switched to the alternate flour for 8-weeks. The trial has been registered with the ISRCTN (https://www.isrctn.com), ID ISRCTN83678069. The primary outcome measure was plasma zinc concentration, and the secondary outcome measures were plasma selenium and copper concentrations, plasma copper:zinc ratio and fatty acid desaturase and elongase activity indices. Nutrient intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall interviews. Mineral concentrations in plasma were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and free fatty acids and sphingolipids by mass spectrometry. Linear Mixed Model regression and General Linear Model with repeated measures were used to analyse the outcomes. Based on an average flour consumption of 224 g/day, Zincol-2016 flour provided an additional daily zinc intake of between 3.0 and 6.0 mg for white and whole grain flour, respectively. No serious adverse events were reported. This resulted in significant, increase in plasma zinc concentration after 4 weeks [mean difference 41.5 μg/L, 95% CI (6.9-76.1), p = 0.02]. This was not present after 8 weeks (p = 0.6). There were no consistent significant effects of the intervention on fatty acid desaturase and elongase activity indices. Regular consumption of Zincol-2016 flour increased the daily zinc intake of women of reproductive age by 30-60%, however this was not associated with a sustained improvement in indices of zinc status.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients might be zinc deficient due to compromised nutritional intake and dietary protein restrictions; protein foods being rich in zinc. Zinc deficiency might cause increased oxidative stress and consequently reduced antioxidant parameters. Tailored dietary counseling along with zinc supplementation may play a major role in affecting the zinc and antioxidant status of patients. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation and dietary counseling on oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters in CKD patients. Materials and Methods: 185 subjects were enrolled for the study (145 were predialysis patients [Group-1 (Stage-3 CKD) and Group-2 [Stage-4 CKD]) on the basis of Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative CKD stages from 1 to 5; and 40 apparently healthy controls. Zinc supplementation alone (Intervention 1) was given to 50 CKD patients (30 Group-1 and 20 Group-2). Diet counseling (Intervention 2) consisted of 45 patients (25 Group-1; 20 Group-2). 50 patients (30 Group-1 and 20 Group-2) received both zinc supplementations along with diet counseling (Intervention 3). Dietary zinc status, oxidative stress and antioxidants were accessed for all subjects. Results: Intervention-1 and 3 groups exhibited highly significant improvement in antioxidant status and lowering of oxidative stress. Conclusion: Improving zinc status through dietary counseling and supplementation may help in combating enhanced oxidative stress by improving antioxidant parameters in renal failure patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain a global public health emergency because of the ensuing economic burden and death. With robust research into vaccines, antibody treatments, and antiviral drugs for COVID-19, there is still a dearth of evidence on the role of an individual's nutritional status on the severity of COVID-19. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) status and COVID-19 severity among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in North Carolina. Methods: Subjects (n ¼ 106) were recruited remotely as part of the Nutrition and COVID-19 in North Carolina (NC-NC) study and filled out online screening questionnaires and dietary surveys. Toenail samples from 97 participants were analyzed to determine Se and Zn concentrations. To assess the severity of severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection, subjects were asked about the presence and duration of 10 commonly reported symptoms. These responses were used to calculate a COVID-19 severity index (CSI). The relationship between Se and Zn status (intake and toenail concentrations) and CSI was explored using a regression analysis. Results: Our results showed that the median (25th, 75th percentiles) dietary Se and Zn intake from selected food sources were 65.2 μg (43.2, 112.9) and 4.3 mg (1.8, 8), respectively. Headache, cough, loss of smell or taste, and fever were reported by at least half of the participants. In stepwise regression analysis, among individuals with low Se and Zn intake (below the median), Se intake was inversely associated with increasing CSI (β = -0.66; 95% CI: -1.21, -0.11; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Findings from this study support a potential benefit of increasing the intake of dietary Se to mitigate the severity of SARS-CoV- 2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) deficiency has been described not only on general human health but also within the sports context –as negatively affecting performance–. Thus, Zn status assessment is of great interest for athletes, especially in order to correct deficiency states of this mineral. The overall objective of this work was to assess Zn status in professional handball players during the competitive period (through plasma levels, dietary intake and gene expression of the Zn transporters), as well as to determine the effect of Zn supplementation. A total of twenty-two participants were recruited, –twelve belonged to the Control Group (CG) and ten male handball players comprised the experimental group (ATH-G)–, being monitored over a 2-month period with 2 evaluation moments: baseline (i.e., initial conditions) and follow-up (i.e., after 8 weeks of training and competition). Zn intake, plasma Zn levels, and gene expression of Zn transporters were obtained. Plasma Zn levels were higher in ATH-G than in CG at the end of Zn intervention (p ≤ 0.010). Moreover, differences in the gene expression profile of Zn transporters were observed in ATH-G –with the down-regulation of several Zn transporters–, compared to the CG at baseline (p ≤ 0.05). Likewise, differences in the Zn transporters expression were observed in ATH-G at 8 weeks (all, p ≤ 0.001) –with ZnT2, ZnT5, ZIP3, ZIP5, ZIP11, ZIP13 and ZIP14 transporters being up-regulated–. Handball players seemed to have different nutritional needs for Zn, with differences in the gene expression of Zn transporters compared to controls. Zn intervention in our athletes may have influenced the expression of Zn transporters, indicating a potential increase in Zn transporters expression to mobilize Zn at the cellular level at 8 weeks of Zn intervention. • Athletes exhibited higher plasma Zn levels compared to healthy controls. • The expression profile of Zn transporters in athletes differed notably from non-athletes. • Zn supplementation may have influenced Zn transporter expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have established and describe two measurement procedures to diagnose possible zinc (Zn) deficiency; albumin-corrected Zn concentration and available free Zn-binding capacity. Reference intervals for both biomarkers were established in healthy adults from the Danish population. The clinical usefulness of the measurement procedures was investigated in patients with cirrhosis and in patients given parenteral nutrition due to short bowel syndrome. The results of both methods indicate that there is a risk of overdiagnosing Zn deficiency based on low plasma Zn concentrations. Needless Zn supplementation may thus be avoided by using the albumin-corrected Zn concentration or available free Zn-binding capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of maternal zinc deficiency on learning and memory in offspring and the changes in DNA methylation patterns. Pregnant rats were divided into zinc adequate (ZA), zinc deficient (ZD), and paired fed (PF) groups. Serum zinc contents and AKP activity in mother rats and offspring at P21 (end of lactation) and P60 (weaned, adult) were detected. Cognitive ability of offspring at P21 and P60 were determined by Morris water maze. The expression of proteins including DNMT3a, DNMT1, GADD45β, MeCP2 and BDNF in the offspring hippocampus were detected by Western-blot. The methylation status of BDNF promoter region in hippocampus of offspring rats was detected by MS-qPCR. Compared with the ZA and PF groups, pups in the ZD group had lower zinc levels and AKP activity in the serum, spent more time finding the platform and spent less time going through the platform area. Protein expression of DNMT1 and GADD45b were downregulated in the ZD group during P0 and P21 but not P60 compared with the ZA and PF group, these results were consistent with a reduction in BDNF protein at P0 (neonate), P21. However, when pups of rats in the ZD group were supplemented with zinc ion from P21 to P60, MeCP2 and GADD45b expression were significantly downregulated compared with the ZA and PF group. Post-weaning zinc supplementation may improve cognitive impairment induced by early life zinc deficiency, whereas it may not completely reverse the abnormal expression of particular genes that are involved in DNA methylation, binding to methylated DNA and neurogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc is required for multiple metabolic processes as a structural, regulatory, or catalytic ion. Cellular, tissue, and whole-body zinc homeostasis is tightly controlled to sustain metabolic functions over a wide range of zinc intakes, making it difficult to assess zinc insufficiency or excess. The BOND (Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development) Zinc Expert Panel recommends 3 measurements for estimating zinc status: dietary zinc intake, plasma zinc concentration (PZC), and height-for-age of growing infants and children. The amount of dietary zinc potentially available for absorption, which requires an estimate of dietary zinc and phytate, can be used to identify individuals and populations at risk of zinc deficiency. PZCs respond to severe dietary zinc restriction and to zinc supplementation; they also change with shifts in whole-body zinc balance and clinical signs of zinc deficiency. PZC cutoffs are available to identify individuals and populations at risk of zinc deficiency. However, there are limitations in using the PZC to assess zinc status. PZCs respond less to additional zinc provided in food than to a supplement administered between meals, there is considerable interindividual variability in PZCs with changes in dietary zinc, and PZCs are influenced by recent meal consumption, the time of day, inflammation, and certain drugs and hormones. Insufficient data are available on hair, urinary, nail, and blood cell zinc responses to changes in dietary zinc to recommend these biomarkers for assessing zinc status. Of the potential functional indicators of zinc, growth is the only one that is recommended. Because pharmacologic zinc doses are unlikely to enhance growth, a growth response to supplemental zinc is interpreted as indicating pre-existing zinc deficiency. Other functional indicators reviewed but not recommended for assessing zinc nutrition in clinical or field settings because of insufficient information are the activity or amounts of zinc-dependent enzymes and proteins and biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, or DNA damage.

A new variety of zinc biofortified wheat (Zincol-2016) was released in Pakistan in 2016. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of consuming Zincol-2016 wheat flour on biochemical and functional markers of zinc status in a population with widespread zinc deficiency. An individually-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross over design was used. Fifty households were recruited to participate in the study, with each household included at least one woman of reproductive age (16–49 years) who was neither pregnant nor breast feeding or currently taking nutritional supplements. All households were provided with control flour for an initial 2-week baseline period, followed by the intervention period where households were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive biofortified flour (group A; n = 25) and control flour (group B; n = 25) for 8-weeks, then switched to the alternate flour for 8-weeks. The trial has been registered with the ISRCTN (https://www.isrctn.com), ID ISRCTN83678069. The primary outcome measure was plasma zinc concentration, and the secondary outcome measures were plasma selenium and copper concentrations, plasma copper:zinc ratio and fatty acid desaturase and elongase activity indices. Nutrient intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall interviews. Mineral concentrations in plasma were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and free fatty acids and sphingolipids by mass spectrometry. Linear Mixed Model regression and General Linear Model with repeated measures were used to analyse the outcomes. Based on an average flour consumption of 224 g/day, Zincol-2016 flour provided an additional daily zinc intake of between 3.0 and 6.0 mg for white and whole grain flour, respectively. No serious adverse events were reported. This resulted in significant, increase in plasma zinc concentration after 4 weeks [mean difference 41.5 μg/L, 95% CI (6.9–76.1), p = 0.02]. This was not present after 8 weeks (p = 0.6). There were no consistent significant effects of the intervention on fatty acid desaturase and elongase activity indices. Regular consumption of Zincol-2016 flour increased the daily zinc intake of women of reproductive age by 30–60%, however this was not associated with a sustained improvement in indices of zinc status.

Background: Zinc is an essential element for hair growth and may act as a strong inhibitor in accelerating follicle regression, besides being an accelerator for the recovery of the hair follicle. This study investigated the status of zinc in Kurdish adults with hair loss and its relation with each of the four types of hair loss., Methods: We investigated the zinc status of a sample of Kurdish adults with hair loss who attended the Dermatology Outpatient Clinics at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. We included a total of 200 subjects in this study, of which 125 had hair loss with a diagnosis of alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium, and 75 were sex- and age-matched apparently healthy subjects without hair fall as a control group. Serum samples were used to measure zinc by colorimetric technique., Results: In participants with hair loss, we found significantly lower serum zinc levels (p=0.002) compared with the control group. The telogen effluvium group had the lowest mean serum zinc level (p=0.006) and higher odds ratio compared with other hair loss groups (4.61). Overall, severe zinc deficiency was found in 12 (9.6%) subjects with hair loss, whereas none of the controls had severe zinc deficiency. Mild-to-moderate zinc deficiency was observed in 43 (34.4%) subjects with hair loss compared to one (1.3%) in the control group.  Conclusions: Our results showed that lower zinc status is linked to hair loss, especially alopecia areata and telogen effluvium in the Kurdish population., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee at Duhok Directorate of Health, Duhok, Iraq issued approval 13052019-8. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mahmoud et al.)

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease causes concentration of secretions and this affects the lungs and digestive system. These patients are exposed to zinc (zn) deficiency. In this review, we decided to investigate the status of zn in CF patients compared to control group. Also, the clinical trials that have so far performed zinc supplementation in these patients are examined., Method: ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane database were searched, up to December 2023, for studies that reported the association between zn levels of CF patients compared to a healthy control group. A random-effect model was used to compute the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analysis was done for region, sample and method of measurement, zinc supplementation and age., Result: Overall, meta-analysis of 9 studies (n = 383 participants) revealed that the zn levels were significantly lower in children and adolescents with CF compared with healthy subjects (WMD = -11.97 μg/dL, 95 % CI: -22.57 to -1.37; I 2  = 92.83 %). Meta-analysis of 8 studies (n = 320 participants) revealed that the serum and plasma level of zn was significantly lower in CF patients compared with healthy subjects (WMD = -14.31 μg/dL, 95 % CI: -25.09 to -3.53; I 2  = 88.14 %, P-heterogeneity <0.001) While the zn level in saliva and sputum was significantly higher in CF patients., Conclusion: CF patients have decreased zn levels in circulatory reservoirs. zn may effective for the diminish the respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in CF patients, further well-designed clinical trial studies is required to prove these effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Context: The assessment of zinc status is difficult but essential for the identification of zinc deficiency and evaluation of interventions to improve zinc status., Objective: The purpose of this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis was to update the previously published SR of biomarkers of zinc status, conducted by the European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned (EURRECA) network in 2009, to answer the question: Which putative measures (biomarkers) of zinc status appropriately reflect a change in zinc intake of at least 2 weeks?, Data Sources: A structured search strategy was used to identify articles published between January 2007 and September 2022 from MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Relevant articles were identified using previously defined eligibility criteria., Data Extraction: Data were extracted and combined with data from the previous SR., Data Analysis: A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled mean differences using STATA (StataCorp). The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence for all outcomes were assessed. Additional data on 7 of the 32 previously reported biomarkers were identified, along with data on an additional 40 putative biomarkers from studies published since 2007. Pooled data analysis confirmed that, in healthy participants, both plasma/serum zinc concentration and urinary zinc excretion responded to changes in zinc intake (plasma/serum: mean effect [95% CI], controlled studies: 2.17 µmol/L [1.73, 2.61]; P < .005, I2 = 97.8; before-and-after studies: 2.87 µmol/L [2.45, 3.30]; P < .005, I2 = 98.1%; urine zinc: 0.39 mmol/mol creatinine [0.17, 0.62]; P < .005, I2 = 81.2; 3.09 µmol/day [0.16, 6.02]; P = .039, I2 = 94.3)., Conclusion: The updated analyses support the conclusion that plasma/serum and urinary zinc respond to changes in zinc intake in studies of healthy participants. Several additional putative biomarkers were identified, but more studies are needed to assess the sensitivity and reliability., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO no. CRD42020219843., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute.)

Introduction: Menopause triggers hormonal changes that can manifest in oral symptoms like dysgeusia, xerostomia, and burning sensations, substantially impacting daily life, including chewing, swallowing, and taste perception. Menopausal women are particularly susceptible to nutritional fluctuations, including variations in zinc levels, which are believed to be linked to taste perception. Taste alterations can render food unappetizing, leading to malnutrition and diminished quality of life. The study aims to assess taste alterations, salivary flow rate, and zinc levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, investigating the correlation between these factors., Materials and Methods: This research involved 30 premenopausal and 30 postmenopausal women randomly selected from outpatients at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. Saliva samples were collected, unstimulated salivary flow rates were measured, taste perception was evaluated using a whole mouth threshold taste test, and serum zinc levels were assessed., Results: The study revealed that a significantly higher percentage of postmenopausal women could not identify sucrose taste at concentrations 1 (76.7%, p = 0.017) and concentrations 2 (56.7%, p = 0.007) compared to premenopausal women (43.3%, 20%, respectively). A statistically significant number of postmenopausal women also couldn't identify the bitter taste at concentration 1 (43.3%, p=0.047) compared to premenopausal women. No significant difference in taste perception of salt and sour was observed between both groups at all tested concentrations. In both groups, mean taste perception rankings were similar, with salt being most perceived, followed by sour bitter, and at least with sucrose. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels did not significantly differ between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The correlation between zinc levels and taste perception was weak and non-significant, indicating that zinc levels were not significant predictors of taste perception in either group., Conclusion: Postmenopausal women exhibited reduced perceptions of sucrose and quinine hydrochloride, potentially impacting eating habits, while taste perception of sodium chloride and citric acid remained relatively consistent. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels were within the normal range for postmenopausal women up to 60 years of age included in the study. The study demonstrated that zinc levels did not significantly influence perception among postmenopausal women, suggesting that taste impairment is a multifactorial phenomenon., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre issued approval PMVIDS & RC/lEC/OMR/DN/356-20 dated January 9, 2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Divya Harika et al.)

Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is known to reduce zinc absorption; the effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and its long-term implications on zinc absorption have not yet been studied. Objective The aim was to evaluate the effects of SG and RYGBP on zinc absorption and zinc status in premenopausal women with severe obesity up to 24 mo after surgery. Methods Twenty-six premenopausal women undergoing SG [BMI (in kg/m2): 37.3 ± 3.2] and 32 undergoing RYGBP (BMI: 42.0 ± 4.2) were studied. A series of anthropometric, dietary, and zinc status parameters (plasma and hair zinc), and the size of the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP), as well as percentage zinc absorption from a standardized dose using a stable isotope methodology were evaluated in the patients before the surgical procedure and at 12 and 24 mo after SG or RYGBP. SG patients received 15 mg and RYGBP received 25 mg of supplemental Zn/d. Results In premenopausal women, zinc absorption was decreased by 71.9% and 52.0% in SG and RYGBP, respectively, 24 mo postsurgery, compared with initial values. According to 2-factor repeated-measures ANOVA, time effect was significant (P = <0.0001), but not time × group interaction (P = 0.470). Plasma zinc below the cutoff point of 70 µg/dL increased from 0 to 15.4% and 38.1% in SG and RYGBP, respectively. Mean EZP was significantly reduced 24 mo after surgery, although no time × group interactions were observed. Hair zinc did not change across time or between groups. Conclusions Both SG and RYGBP have profound effects on zinc absorption capacity, which are not compensated for after 24 mo. Although zinc absorption reduction was similar in both types of surgeries, plasma zinc was more affected in RYGBP than SG, despite greater zinc supplementation in RYGBP. This trial was registered at http://www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN31937503. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc has a potential role in defense system by taking control in immunity cells activity. Zinc is a micro-nutrient that attains in such prominence as a co-factor for hundred enzymes and inducing nutritional metabolism. In condition of HIV infection, low plasma zinc level can inhibit T cell establishment, then decreasing humoral and cellular immunity. Furthermore, zinc plasma defi ciency will impact the disease progression thus increasing mortality rate. Based on several studies, giving zinc supplementation to HIV/AIDS patient still shows controversial results. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze zinc status in HIV/AIDS patients and examine the effect of zinc supplementation related to immunity status. The method of the study was conducted comprehensive searches on adults HIV infected aged >18 years who underwent outpatient care or hospitalized that received single zinc supplementation or in multivitamin and minerals form. The result from nine studies demonstrated that most of HIV/AIDS patients have a low plasma zinc level and after receiving zinc supplementation with a dose at least 12 mg for more than 1 month consecutively, the lymphocytes CD4+ and IFN-γ status in HIV/AIDS patients was increasing. Furthermore, the intervention of zinc supplementation also showed some positive improvement in other infections occurrence such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Zinc supplementation on HIV/AIDS patient has many benefi ts in increasing zinc status and improving the immune system.

Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in women of childbearing age, to be precise at the age of 15 - 45 years may occur since adolescence which continues during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This can occur as a result of low energy and nutrient reserves. The long-term impact is anemia and low birth weight. This study aims to determine the effect of giving biscuits made from pumpkin seeds on hemoglobin (Hb) and zinc status (Zn) in pregnant women who experience chronic energy deficiency in Bone Regency, South Sulawesi. The experimental research was conducted with a pre test - post test design involving pregnant women in CED. The research subjects consisted of 22 people in the intervention group and 28 in the control group who were selected purposively. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, paired two-sample t-test, Mc. Neymar test and Chi-Square test. The results of the study found that there was an increase in mean hemoglobin levels in both groups in the pre and post test, but the increase that occurred was not statistically significant in the intervention group (p> 0.05). In contrast, a significant increase in Hb levels (p <0.05) occurred in the control group (p = 0.020). Regarding zinc status (Zn), based on the results of the study, there was no change in zinc status before and after the intervention, both in the intervention group and the control group (p> 0.05). Referring to the results obtained from the study, it can be concluded that there is no effect of pumpkin seed biscuits on hemoglobin levels and zinc status of pregnant women who suffer from chronic energy deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum zinc concentration (SZC) is considered the best biomarker of zinc status in population-level evaluations. However, zinc deficiency (ZD) estimations can be biased if they do not consider blood collection timing, inflammation, and fasting status., Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine SZC without and with adjustment for inflammation, according to blood collection timing and fasting status, estimate ZD prevalence, and evaluate the associated factors with ZD in a representative sample of Brazilian children aged <5 y., Methods: Population-based study with 7597 children aged 6-59 mo surveyed by the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition. SZC was adjusted for inflammation using the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia regression correction approach, with high-sensitive C-reactive protein, assessed according to blood collection timing (morning/afternoon) and fasting status (<8 and ≥8 h). SZC <65 μg/dL (morning collection) or SZC <57 μg/dL (afternoon collection) were classified as ZD. The analysis between associated factors and ZD used the adjusted prevalence ratio (PR)., Results: After adjusting for inflammation, SZC was higher in all percentiles and varied according to collection timing and fasting status. Children who had blood collected in the morning without fasting or in the afternoon had lower SZC than those assessed in the morning with fasting. The differences in adjusted SZC according to the timing of collection and fasting status were greater in the higher percentiles of the distribution, with the greatest absolute difference observed when comparing the 95th percentile of morning fasting compared with nonfasting (20.3 μg/dL). The prevalence of ZD estimated without and with adjusting SZC for inflammation was 17.8% and 13.8%, respectively. The occurrence of diarrhea, fever, or respiratory symptoms in the 15 d before blood collection was associated with a higher prevalence of ZD (PR: 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.94)., Conclusions: Adjusting SZC for inflammation and considering fasting status is important to avoid overestimating the prevalence of ZD., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Nutrition. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Vitamin D and zinc are important components of nutritional immunity. This study compared the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and zinc in COVID-19 outpatients with those of potentially non-infected participants. The association of clinical symptoms with vitamin D and zinc status was also examined. A checklist and laboratory examination were applied to collect data in a cross-sectional study conducted on 53 infected outpatients with COVID-19 and 53 potentially non-infected participants. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D were not significantly lower in patients with moderate illness (19 ± 12 ng/mL) than patients with asymptomatic or mild illness (29 ± 18 ng/mL), with a trend noted for a lower serum concentration of 25(OH)D in moderate than asymptomatic or mild illness patients (p = 0.054). Infected patients (101 ± 18 µg/dL) showed a lower serum concentration of zinc than potentially non-infected participants (114 ± 13 µg/dL) (p = 0.01). Patients with normal (odds ratio (OR), 0.19; p ≤ 0.001) and insufficient (OR, 0.3; p = 0.007) vitamin D status at the second to seventh days of disease had decreased OR of general symptoms compared to patients with vitamin D deficiency. This study revealed the importance of 25(OH)D measurement to predict the progression of general and pulmonary symptoms and showed that infected patients had significantly lower zinc concentrations than potentially non-infected participants.

Zinc nutrition has been shown to be critically limiting among urban populations of the central Amazon valley, but no information on the zinc status of rural populations has been published. Nutrition surveys were carried out on the river Solimoes and the river Negro in years 1976/7. Hair samples collected at that time were analysed for their zinc content, by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean hair zinc value of children aged under seven years from the river Negro (140 µg/g) was about one third lower than hair values from the river Solimoes (204 µg/g) with high statistical significance (p< 0.001). Hair zinc levels were influenced by a variety of non-dietary conditions in these riverine children populations, including anthropometric classifications and gastrointestinal parasites, and these are discussed. The significantly lower hair zinc levels in children on the river Negro than in children on the river Solimoes may be part of the reason why young child stunting rates are higher on the river Negro. The importance of zinc status for reproduction is also discussed, especially the evidence for relationships to still teratogenesis and still births, the latter being six times more common among mothers on the river Negro than among those on the Solimoes at that time. Although no indicators of maternal zinc status were measured, the findings of zinc deficiency in their young children support the hypothesis that these mothers were also suffering from zinc deficiency. It also suggests poor zinc status may be associated with the lower population densities found along the banks of the river Negro as compared to that of the river Solimoes. The situation seems unlikely to have improved in the forty years since these observations were made and may even be getting worse. Interventions are suggested that would allow this type of situation to be remedied.

Three trials were undertaken to provide an answer to different questions: 1) Are suckling pigs able to maintain physiological serum Zn levels throughout lactation and do these levels vary between high and low body weight (BW) pigs?, 2) Are serum Zn levels in pigs soon after weaning a predisposing factor for diarrhea?, and 3) Is it possible to increase serum Zn levels at weaning by supplementing Zn during lactation. In trial 1, blood samples were taken from pigs during lactation. Eight pigs (one piglet per litter) had blood drawn on days 0 (farrowing), 7, 14, 21, and 28 (weaning), and 60 pigs (selected from the whole farrowing batch with 35 sows), categorized as either heavy (8.63 kg) or light (5.50 kg) had blood drawn on day 28. Serum Zn levels at birth were 1.2 mg/L and decreased (P < 0.01) to 0.67 mg/L on day 28. Heavier pigs showed greater (P < 0.01) serum Zn levels (0.98 mg/L) than light BW pigs (0.79 mg/L). In trial 2, blood samples were obtained from 240 pigs at weaning (26.2 ± 2.5 d) with an average initial BW of 6.94 ± 1.87 kg and were distributed into 24 pens (10 pigs/pen) by BW. Diarrhea incidence was recorded daily from days 0 to 35 post-weaning. From the 240 pigs, a group of 110 pigs with uniform BW (6.5 ± 1.9 kg) was selected and separated into two groups based on serum Zn levels at weaning with 55 pigs with low serum Zn (LZn: <0.71 mg/L) and 55 pigs with high serum Zn (HZn: >0.9 mg/L). Pigs with LZn were 2.49 times as likely to have diarrhea as pigs with HZn (P < 0.02). In trial 3, a total of 96 suckling pigs were allotted four treatments that consisted of the daily administration of 0, 6, 18, or 30 mg of Zn as Zn citrate in capsule form during the last 7 d of lactation. Pigs were individually weighed, and blood samples were obtained on days 14, 21 (weaning), and 7 after weaning. Serum Zn levels linearly increased by day as Zn citrate supplementation increased (interaction, P < 0.001). However, only light pigs supplemented with 18 and 30 mg/L of Zn experienced an increase in serum Zn levels during lactation. In conclusion, a decrease in serum Zn levels occurs during lactation and is more severe in low BW pigs. Low Zn status (< 0.7 mg/L) at weaning may be a predisposing factor for diarrhea. However, Zn supplementation during lactation can mitigate this decrease in light pigs., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate effects of dietary zinc methionine (Zn‐Met) supplementation on laying performance, zinc (Zn) status, intestinal morphology, and Zn transporters in laying hens compared with zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). A total of 384 Hyline Grey laying hens (38 weeks old) with similar performance (1.42 ± 0.07 kg) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with Zn, either as Zn‐Met at 40 and 80 mg Zn/kilogram diet or as ZnSO4 at 80 mg Zn/kilogram diet, for 10 weeks. RESULTS: There was no difference in egg weight, egg production, feed intake, and feed conversation ratio among all groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control, Zn contents were increased (P < 0.05) in the liver, duodenum, and jejunum of laying hens fed diets supplemented with different Zn sources. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in Zn contents in liver, duodenum, and jejunum between diets supplemented with Zn‐Met or ZnSO4 at 80 mg Zn/kilogram diet. Compared with the control and the ZnSO4 group (80 mg Zn/kilogram diet), supplementation with Zn‐Met of 80 mg Zn/kilogram diet increased (P < 0.05) villus height, villus area, and villus height/crypt depth ratio but reduced (P < 0.05) crypt depth in jejunum. Expression of metallothionein messenger RNA of jejunum in the group fed a diet containing Zn‐Met (80 mg Zn/kilogram diet) was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the control. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that Zn‐Met has positive effects on the Zn status of liver, duodenum, and jejunum, intestinal morphology, and metallothionein messenger RNA expression in jejunum of laying hens compared with ZnSO4. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 42‐day trial was conducted to investigate the effect of pectin oligosaccharides (POS) and zinc chelate (Zn‐POS) on growth performance, antioxidant ability, zinc status, intestinal morphology and short‐chain fatty acids in broilers. A total of 324 1‐day‐old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to three treatments with six cages of 18 chicks. Treatments were: (a) Control, 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnSO4; (b) POS, 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnSO4 + 482 mg/kg POS (the same amount of POS as treatment 3); and (c) Zn‐POS, 80 mg/kg zinc from Zn‐POS. Compared to the Control, both POS and Zn‐POS supplementation increased average daily gain and reduced the mortality during day 22–42, and only Zn‐POS supplementation decreased the ratio of feed to gain during day 22–42 and 1–42. Moreover, both POS and Zn‐POS supplementation improved Zn status and gut function as evidenced by increased metallothionein concentrations in the pancreas, villus height in the duodenum and isobutyrate concentrations in the caecal digesta. Additionally, Zn‐POS supplementation increased gene expressions of metallothionein, Zn transporter 1, Zn transporter 2 in the pancreas, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 in the liver, the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate and total SCFA in the caecal digesta and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, whereas decreased the crypt depth in these two tissues. Altogether, our results revealed that dietary POS or Zn‐POS supplementation benefited growth performance, Zn status, antioxidant ability and gut function of broilers. Supplementing Zn‐POS in the form of chelate was more effective than feeding POS or ZnSO4 separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano‐ZnOs) on growth performance, zinc status, intestinal morphology, microflora population, and immune response in weaned piglets. A total of 150 weaned piglets (9.37 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet (control), or the basal diet supplemented with nano‐ZnOs at 150, 300, or 450 mg kg−1, and 3000 mg kg−1 ZnO for 21 days. After a feeding test, six pigs from the control, 450 mg kg−1 nano‐ZnOs and 3000 mg kg−1 ZnO groups were slaughtered. RESULTS: Compared with the control, dietary supplements of nano‐ZnOs and ZnO could improve (P < 0.05) average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, and decrease (P < 0.05) diarrhea incidence. Zinc retention in the serum, heart, liver, spleen and kidney of pigs supplemented with nano‐ZnOs and ZnO was increased (P < 0.05). Nano‐ZnOs decreased (P < 0.05) the zinc excretion compared with conventional ZnO. Lower Escherichia coli counts in the cecum, colon, and rectum were observed (P < 0.05) in the nano‐ZnOs group compared with the other groups. Compared with the control, ZnO and nano‐ZnOs increased (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of IgA, IL‐6, and TNF‐α, and decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of IgM. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that low doses of nano‐ZnOs can have beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microflora, and immunity in weanling pigs, which are similar to the effects of pharmacological dosages of conventional ZnO. Nano‐ZnOs may reduce mineral excretion, which may reduce environmental challenges. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zinc is an important cause of morbidity, particularly among young children. The dietary, functional, and biochemical indicators should be used to assess zinc status and to indicate the need for zinc interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc status and reference intervals for serum zinc concentration considering dietary, functional, and biochemical indicators in apparently healthy children in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Design: The cross-sectional study included 131 healthy children: 72 girls and 59 boys, aged between 6 and 9 years. Anthropometric assessment was made by body mass index (BMI) and age; dietary assessment by prospective 3-day food register, and an evaluation of total proteins was performed. Zinc in the serum samples was analyzed in triplicate in the same assay flame, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: With respect to dietary assessment, only the intake of fiber and calcium was below the recommendations by age and gender. All subjects were eutrophic according to BMI and age classification. Zinc intake correlated with energy (p=0.0019), protein (p=0.0054), fat (p

Background: Serum zinc concentration is used to assess the zinc status of populations. Cutoffs for serum zinc were developed on the basis of data from the second NHANES (1976-1980).Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate serum zinc concentrations in the US population and to determine factors affecting serum zinc with the use of NHANES 2011-2014.Methods: Serum zinc was determined in males and females aged ≥6 y with the use of NHANES 2011-2014 (n = 4347). Dietary zinc intake was determined, and factors affecting serum zinc were identified with the use of regression models adjusting for sex, age, fasting status, and time of blood draw. ORs were calculated to identify factors associated with the risk of being below the serum zinc cutoff, and the prevalence of low serum zinc in the US was calculated. P < 0.01 was considered significant.Results: Mean ± SE serum zinc concentrations in males and females were 84.9 ± 0.8 and 80.6 ± 0.6 μg/dL, respectively (P < 0.0001). Regression models with serum zinc as the dependent variable indicated that afternoon and evening blood draws (β = -9.7 and -15.3; P < 0.0001) were negatively associated with serum zinc concentrations and serum albumin (β = 16.1; P < 0.0001) and hemoglobin (β = 1.0; P = 0.0048) were positively associated with serum zinc concentrations. Hypoalbuminemia (OR = 11.2; 99% CI: 3.4, 37.3), anemia in females (OR: 3.4; 99% CI: 1.7, 6.9), and pregnancy (OR: 9.6; 99% CI: 2.9, 31.9) increased the odds of being below the serum zinc cutoff (P < 0.0001 for all). Zinc from diet or supplements did not affect serum zinc (P > 0.01). Approximately 3.8% of children (<10 y), 8.6% of males (≥10 y), and 8.2% of females (≥10 y) were below the serum zinc cutoff.Conclusions: Factors such as sex, age, and time of blood draw should be considered when using serum zinc concentration to determine the zinc status of a population. Caution is advised when interpreting serum zinc concentration in populations with a high prevalence of hypoalbuminemia or anemia. This trial was registered at http://www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN96013840. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Girls with micronutrient deficiencies may have impaired growth and development, and furthermore this may also impact on their childbearing. We have investigated the relationship between serum zinc and copper concentrations, dietary zinc and copper intake and anthropometric and demographic parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors, in 408 girls living in northeastern Iran. Methods A total of 408 healthy girls, aged 12–18 years old, were included in our study. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption (Varian AA240FS) and zinc and copper intake were assessed using a 3-day dietary record. Results There was a weak correlation between serum and dietary zinc intake (r = 0.117, p = 0.018). The correlation between serum and dietary copper approached significance (r = −0.094, p = 0.056). The mean serum zinc and copper concentrations were 14.61 ± 2.71 μmol/L and 19.48 ± 8.01 μmol/L respectively. Height, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were positively correlated with serum copper concentration. Subjects with high serum copper concentrations (>24 μmol/L) were found to have a significantly higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) compared to subjects with normal, or low serum copper concentrations (p = 0.033). Girls who were in the 5th percentile or greater for height were found to have higher serum copper concentrations than girls in other height categories. Conclusion There was a weak relationship between dietary and serum concentrations of zinc. Copper status was associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including FBG and lipid profile. Further studies are required to define the role of copper in metabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suboptimal zinc status is common in very young children and likely associated with increased risk of infection and detrimental effects on growth. No studies have determined potentially modifiable "predictors" of zinc status in toddlers from high-income countries. This cross-sectional analysis of 115 toddlers from the Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study used weighed diet records (three non-consecutive days) to assess dietary intake, and a venous blood sample (trace-element free techniques) to assess plasma zinc, at 12 months of age. "Predictors" of plasma zinc were determined by univariate analysis and multiple regression. Mean (SD) plasma zinc was 9.7 (1.5) µmol/L, 60% were below the IZiNCG reference limit of <9.9 µmol/L. Median (25th, 75th percentiles) intake of zinc was 4.4 (3.7, 5.4) mg/day. Red meat intake (p = 0.004), consumption of zinc-fortified infant formula (3-6 mg zinc/100 g) (p = 0.026), and food fussiness (p = 0.028) were statistically significant "predictors" of plasma zinc at 12 months. Although higher intakes of red meat, and consumption of infant formula, are potentially achievable, it is important to consider possible barriers, particularly impact on breastfeeding, cost, and the challenges of behavior modification. Of interest is the association with food fussiness--further research should investigate the direction of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer (PCa) may result from an interplay between many factors including exposure to trace elements. This study examined the association between cadmium exposure and PCa among Nigerian men and evaluated possible modification of this effect by zinc status. This case-control study involved men with histologically confirmed PCa (n = 82), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 93) and controls (n = 98), aged between 40 and 80 years. Study participants were recruited from the main teaching hospital that draws clients from the entire Anambra State in South-Eastern Nigeria. Blood and urine samples were collected from these participants and were analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. Statistical models were used to assess the exposure risk for cadmium exposure as well as the mediating effect of zinc status. Among men with prostatic disorders (case-case analysis), every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa (adjusted odds ratios: 2.526; 95% CI: 1.096–5.821). Men in the highest blood zinc quartile had lower odds of PCa compared to the lowest quartile (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06–0.54; p-for trend = 0.001). Zinc-specific effect was observed in this group: every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa among men with creatinine-adjusted urinary zinc levels below the median value (AOR: 8.46; 95% CI: 1.97 –36.39) but not in those above the median value (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.45 – 5.39). Higher exposure to cadmium may be associated with increased risk of PCa in Nigeria and probably other countries with high prevalence of Zn deficiency. These results point to the need to consider co-occurring trace metals in any effort to mitigate the toxicity of Cd in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc could have a protective role against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between dietary, supplementary, and total zinc intake, as well as serum/plasma and whole blood zinc concentration, and risk of T2DM. Observational studies, conducted on cases of incident diabetes or T2DM patients and healthy subjects that reported a measure of association between zinc exposure and T2DM, were selected. Random effects meta-analyses were applied to obtain combined results. Stratified meta-analyses and meta-regressions were executed to assess sources of heterogeneity, as well as the impact of covariates on the findings. From 12,136 publications, 16 studies were selected. The odds ratio (OR) for T2DM comparing the highest versus lowest zinc intake from diet was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78−0.98). Nevertheless, no association between supplementary or total zinc intake from both diet and supplementation, and T2DM was observed. A direct relationship was found between serum/plasma zinc levels and T2DM (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.25−2.14). A moderately high dietary zinc intake, in relation to the Dietary Reference Intake, could reduce by 13% the risk of T2DM, and up to 41% in rural areas. Conversely, elevated serum/plasma zinc concentration was associated with an increased risk of T2DM by 64%, suggesting disturbances in zinc homeostasis.

Background: Information is needed on the national prevalence of zinc deficiency to guide program development and evaluation.Objective: To summarize results of national surveys that assessed plasma or serum zinc concentrations (PZC) and compare the prevalence of low PZC with other methods used to estimate countries' risk of zinc deficiency.Methods: National surveys that included PZC were identified through Internet searches and personal contacts. A survey was eligible if a nationally representative sampling scheme was used, PZC was analyzed, and the survey was implemented in a low- or middle-income country. Twenty surveys were eligible; 19 countries assessed PZC in young children and 14 in women of reproductive age.Results: In 13 of the 19 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in children was >20%. Only Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, the Republic of Maldives, Sri Lanka, and China found a low prevalence of inadequate PZC among children. Some of these conclusions may be due to the lower than recommended cutoff that was used. Similarly, in 13 of 14 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in women was >20%. Estimates of percentage population with inadequate dietary zinc intake based on food balance sheets underestimate the risk of zinc deficiency. The national stunting prevalence seems to be a useful proxy, as both indicators categorized countries similarly into high versus low risk of zinc deficiency, with some exceptions.Conclusions: Results from 20 countries suggest that zinc deficiency is a public health concern in the majority of these countries and zinc intervention strategies should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The size of the rapidly exchanging pool of body zinc has been suggested as having potential utility as a biomarker of zinc status. Knowledge of the relations of exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size to relevant variables is necessary to adequately evaluate its use as a biomarker.Objective: We used regression analysis to investigate associations of EZP with age, sex, body size, and zinc nutrition variables.Methods: Data were compiled from 18 isotope tracer studies of zinc absorption in 247 children and adults (248 observations) in which EZP and relevant variables (e.g., weight, age, absorbed zinc) were measured. Linear regression analyses were performed separately on data from adults and children.Results: In children, EZP was most strongly associated with weight (r = 0.78). The best-fitting regression models of EZP (R2 ≥ 0.68) had weight or age and weight-for-age z score as predictors. Other variables had little effect on EZP when controlling for weight. Absorbed zinc was observed to be a predictor of EZP only in zinc intervention trials of infants. The mean EZP/wt was 4 mg/kg between 8 and 120 mo of age. In adults, EZP was observed to vary in a complex manner with (in order of importance) age, absorbed zinc, weight, sex, and plasma zinc concentration. EZP data from zinc-deprived subjects were lower than the 95% prediction interval of a model of normative data.Conclusions: EZP was observed to maintain a constant size relative to weight and was influenced only slightly by other factors in children. In contrast, EZP in adults varied with several factors, including absorbed zinc, and was statistically smaller in zinc-deprived individuals. The findings suggest that EZP may have utility as an indicator of zinc status in adults, but there is less evidence for this in children. Additional data are needed to reach a definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]