Assessing zinc in humans

Lowe, Nicola M

doi:10.1097/mco.0000000000000298

Cited by 30 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Recently, a few studies provided some evidence to support the effectiveness of hair Zn concentrations in predicting the Zn status of individuals [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The hair Zn biomarker has some advantages, such as low cost and viability; however, hair zinc still lacks sufficient evidence towards validity as a method to assess Zn status [ 8 , 20 ]. Finally, the reliability of all currently used biomarkers under infection and inflammatory conditions is intricate [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: The Limitations Of the Currently Used Biomarkers: “Emergimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Emerging biomarkers are defined as ‘biomarkers for which there is some theoretical basis of a relationship to zinc intake or status, but the testing is insufficient to confirm the relation’ [ 8 ]. Currently, nail Zn concentration, Zn-dependent proteins, oxidative stress, DNA integrity, and taste acuity are placed in the group of emerging biomarkers [ 8 ]. However, for many of the newly identified biomarkers, insufficient evidence is available to demonstrate their true potential and further studies are needed to confirm which ones can be used as biomarkers of Zn status.…”

Section: The Limitations Of the Currently Used Biomarkers: “Emergimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, the BOND (Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development) Zinc Expert Panel recommended the following zinc biomarkers for use: dietary intakes, plasma/serum Zn concentrations, and stunting [ 7 ]. Last year, an update on Zn biomarkers was provided, recognizing a few as emerging biomarkers that require further investigation: Zn-dependent proteins, taste acuity, oxidative stress, and DNA integrity [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

et al. 2017

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Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a common aliment predicted to affect 17% of the world’s population. Zinc is a vital micronutrient used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biochemical and structural processes in the body. Although whole blood, plasma, and urine zinc decrease in severe zinc deficiency, accurate assessment of zinc status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. Hence, as suggested by the World Health Organization, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. In this review, we provide evidence to demonstrate that the LA:DGLA ratio (linoleic acid:dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ratio) may be a useful additional indicator for assessing Zn status more precisely. However, this biomarker needs to be tested further in order to determine its full potential.

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Section: The Limitations Of the Currently Used Biomarkers: “Emergimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Limitations Of the Currently Used Biomarkers: “Emergimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

et al. 2017

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“…More recently, an international expert panel pointed to a 24-h urinary zinc excretion as a potential zinc biomarker, although some metabolic or physiologic conditions increase protein catabolism and, therefore increase urinary zinc [ 21 ]. However, there are not enough data on urinary zinc to support consistent recommendations on the validity and usefulness as an indicator for zinc status [ 22 , 23 ]. The regulation of cellular zinc is complex, and may involve both fast and slow mechanisms for regulating cellular zinc turnover [ 18 ], so cellular biomarkers such as erythrocyte zinc may lead to novel biomarkers of zinc status [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc Status Biomarkers and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome: A Case Control Study

et al. 2017

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Metabolic syndrome (MS) involves pathophysiological alterations that might compromise zinc status. The aim of this study was to evaluate zinc status biomarkers and their associations with cardiometabolic factors in patients with MS. Our case control study included 88 patients with MS and 37 controls. We performed clinical and anthropometric assessments and obtained lipid, glycemic, and inflammatory profiles. We also evaluated zinc intake, plasma zinc, erythrocyte zinc, and 24-h urinary zinc excretion. The average zinc intake was significantly lower in the MS group (p < 0.001). Regression models indicated no significant differences in plasma zinc concentration (all p > 0.05) between the two groups. We found significantly higher erythrocyte zinc concentration in the MS group (p < 0.001) independent from co-variable adjustments. Twenty-four hour urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the MS group (p = 0.008), and adjustments for age and sex explained 21% of the difference (R2 = 0.21, p < 0.001). There were significant associations between zincuria and fasting blood glucose concentration (r = 0.479), waist circumference (r = 0.253), triglyceride concentration (r = 0.360), glycated hemoglobin concentration (r = 0.250), homeostatic model assessment—insulin resistance (r = 0.223), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration (r = 0.427) (all p < 0.05) in the MS group. Patients with MS had alterations in zinc metabolism mainly characterized by an increase in erythrocyte zinc and higher zincuria.

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“…Assessment of zinc status is notoriously difficult due to absence of sensitive and precise biochemical indicators. The most reliable methods involve combining a clinical assessment with laboratory tests assessing tissue concentrations of zinc in plasma or hair [35] . Clinical manifestations of mild-moderate zinc deficiency include recurrent infections, slow tissue repair, rough skin, mental lethargy, irritability, headaches and reduced lean body mass [36] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and other acute viral respiratory infections: a rapid review

Arentz

Hunter

Yang

et al. 2020

Advances in Integrative Medicine

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Background The global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an urgent search for interventions to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2. Higher risk of infection and adverse outcomes coincide with populations with chronic diseases and elderly who are at risk of zinc deficiency. Through several mechanisms zinc may prevent, reduce severity and duration of symptoms. Method An a priori protocol was registered with PROSPERO on 27th April 2020 (CRD42020182044). Eight databases (one Chinese) and four clinical trial registries (one Chinese) were searched for randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating single or adjunct zinc against placebo or active controls, for prevention and/or treatment of SARS-CoV-2, other coronaviruses or related infections. RR constraints included not searching bibliographies or contacting authors, single reviewers with calibration and second reviewer checking, meta-analyses and quality appraisal of critical and study primary outcomes only and reporting results as they became available. Results 118 publications of 1,627 records met the inclusion criteria (35 Chinese and 83 English publications), 32 for prevention, 78 for treatment and 8 for both. Four RCTs specific to SARS-CoV-2 are ongoing; two are investigating zinc for prevention and two for treatment. As of 7 July 2020, no results were available. A wide range of zinc forms, including nasal spray/gel, lozenges, liquid, tablets and intramuscular were investigated. Conclusion Currently, indirect evidence suggests zinc may potentially reduce the risk, duration and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly for populations at risk of zinc deficiency including people with chronic disease co-morbidities and older adults. Direct evidence to determine if zinc is effective for either prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 is pending. In the interim, assessing zinc status of people with chronic diseases and older adults, as part of a SARS-CoV-2 clinical work-up, is reasonable as both groups have a higher risk of zinc deficiency/insufficiency and poorer outcomes from SARS-CoV-2.

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Assessing zinc in humans

Cited by 30 publications

References 14 publications

The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

Zinc Status Biomarkers and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome: A Case Control Study

Zinc for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and other acute viral respiratory infections: a rapid review

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