Effects of polaprezinc on morphological change of the tongue in zinc-deficient rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of polaprezinc on morphologic change of the tongue epithelium and on cell cycle regulation of taste bud cells by using zinc-deficient rats, an animal model of taste disturbance. METHODS: After 28 days of feeding with zinc-sufficient or -deficient diet, the rats fed a zinc-deficient diet were divided into four groups in which 0, 1, 3 and 10 mg ⁄ kg of polaprezinc were administered for 28 days with continuation of diet. Histopathological and morphological examinations of the tongue were carried out. RESULTS: Parakeratosis was observed in all rats receiving the zinc-deficient diet and 1 mg ⁄ kg polaprezinc but not in rats receiving 3 and 10 mg ⁄ kg polaprezinc. The ratio of keratinizing epithelium in the outer and inner circumference were significantly increased from 9.6% and 11.3%, respectively, in zinc-sufficient rats to 36.9% and 32.9%, respectively, in zinc-deficient rats (P < 0.001 and <0.01). This increase was reversed to 13.7% and 12.3% in rats that received 3 and 10 mg ⁄ kg polaprezinc in the outer circumference, respectively. Same phenomenon was seen in the inner circumference part, 13.0% and 10.8% (P < 0.01), respectively. In addition, proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells in the taste bud were significantly decreased from 75.5% in zinc-sufficient rats to 32.2% in zinc-deficient rats (P < 0.001). This decrease was reversed to 70.3%, 83.1% and 81.2% in rats that received 1, 3 and 10 mg ⁄ kg polaprezinc, respectively. CONCLUSION: Polaprezinc improves parakeratosis and decreases taste bud cell proliferation caused by zinc deficiency. These effects may be involved in mechanisms underlying improvement of taste disorders in animal models.

Association of Serum Zinc Level with severity of chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study

“…This suggests that serum zinc reflects dietary intake and nutritional status. It is well known that zinc deficiency causes dysgeusia [ 35 ], producing a vicious circle in which dysgeusia reduces appetite and causes further zinc deficiency. Zinc supplementation in patients with renal failure and hemodialysis has been reported to increase serum zinc levels, reduce the rate of protein catabolism, and improve malnutrition [ 36 ].…”

The Association between Frailty and Abdominal Symptoms: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

“…Frailty may develop under conditions of deficiency in various nutrients, including calcium, zinc, albumin, and protein, which is associated with the onset of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Hypozincemia is related to appetite loss ( 6 ), depression ( 7 ), and taste abnormality ( 8 ), and these symptoms are risk factors for hypoalimentation. Semba et al reported that frail women had lower serum concentrations of zinc at baseline than women who were not frail ( 26 ).…”

“…Adebusoye et al reported that constipation and oral problems were significantly associated with undernutrition in a cross-sectional study of older persons ( 5 ), so malnutrition and frailty may be caused by constipation and upper abdominal symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation, and epigastric discomfort. Taste disorder, depression, and appetite loss may be associated with the aging process; however, in later years, these symptoms may be related to hypozincemia ( 6 - 8 ). Zinc is involved in in vivo enzyme activation, and the physiological functions of zinc include roles in skin metabolism, the generative function, maintenance of taste, mental function, and immunity ( 9 ).…”

Oral adverse events due to zinc deficiency after pancreaticoduodenectomy requiring continuous intravenous zinc supplementation: a case report and literature review

“…Zinc deficiency secondary to any etiology leads to taste disturbances; thus, zinc depletion is corrected for patients presenting with taste imbalances [ 4 – 7 ]. It has been observed in vivo that zinc administration improves decreased taste bud cell proliferation caused by zinc deficiency [ 8 ]. Zinc administration improves taste in 50–82% of patients suffering from taste disorders [ 9 ].…”