Erythrocyte zinc and serum copper in male and female adolescents according to puberty stage at different growth phases

Abstract

Background Considering that modification in body composition and growth velocity leads to alterations in zinc and copper nutritional status, the purpose of the study was to assess erythrocyte zinc and serum copper in adolescents of both genders, according to the stage of sexual maturity at different growth phases. Methods Two hundred and eighty-six adolescents were assessed, 157 were female, with body mass index Z-score between −2 and +2. Clinical biochemical measurements were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Student’s t, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni tests were used. Results Median serum copper was superior, and zinc was inferior to respective reference values in all groups. Serum copper presented significant reduction in the final stages of pubertal development in males; in turn, erythrocyte zinc values increased linearly with the evolution of puberty stages in both genders. Comparison between genders in each stage of growth showed significant difference in peak acceleration and in deceleration for erythrocyte zinc and serum copper, with both being higher in females. Conclusions Serum copper is inversely influenced by modifications that occur with the evolution of puberty in males, whereas erythrocyte zinc is directly influenced in both genders, although always with deficient deposition. At peak acceleration and deceleration of growth, there is greater mobilization of erythrocyte zinc and serum copper in males, when compared with females, which does not occur at the onset of the acceleration of growth.

A Zinpyr-1-based Fluorimetric Microassay for Free Zinc in Human Serum

“…However, the serum concentration of copper was negatively correlated with the free zinc concentration (supplemental Table S1). As shown in supplemental Table S2, no difference between males and females has been observed for the serum concentrations of manganese, iron or selenium, but for copper a significantly higher concentration has been found in the sera from females (19.83 ± 0.64 nM) than in those from males (16.63 ± 0.23 nM), which is in line with previous reports [34,35]. The homeostases of zinc and copper are connected with regard to resorption and transport in the serum.…”

Variations in levels of selected micronutrients during malaria infection

“…Also, a decrease (not statistically significant) in zinc levels was observed in male group compared with female group which is in conformity with previous reports where it was shown that higher concentrations of zinc was seen in females than in males [26,27]. Zinc level is influenced by modifications that occur at different stages of puberty in males and it is directly influenced by gender variations [28]. Zinc, copper and magnesium showed positive significant correlations in the malaria subjects which do not agree with a previous finding that zinc and copper compete with each other as antagonist in order to properly regulate the physiological pathways in the body [29].…”