Is There a Link between Zinc Intake and Status with Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Dyslipidemic Subjects?

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia has increased worldwide. The role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of these conditions is not well understood. This study examines the relationship between dietary zinc (Zn) intake and plasma concentrations of Zn, copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) with lipid profile indicators, fatty acid composition in plasma phospholipids and desaturase enzyme activities in a dyslipidemic population. The role of the newly proposed biomarker of Zn status, the linoleic:dihomo-gama-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio, in predicting Zn status of dyslipidemic subjects has been explored. The study included 27 dyslipidemic adults, 39-72 years old. Trace elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry and fatty acid composition by a liquid gas chromatography. Desaturase activities were calculated from product-precursor fatty acid ratios. Dietary data were obtained using 24 h recall questionnaires. Insufficient dietary intake of Zn, low plasma Zn concentrations and an altered Cu:Zn ratio is related to modified fatty acid profile in subjects with dyslipidemia. Plasma Zn status was associated with obesity. There was no correlation between dietary Zn intake and plasma Zn status. The LA:DGLA ratio was inversely linked to dietary Zn intake. Cu, in addition to Zn, may directly or indirectly, affect the activity of desaturase enzymes. region of Europe (54% for both sexes). Successful treatment of dyslipidemia significantly reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases [7]. Basically 10% reduction in serum lipid levels has been reported to result in a 50% reduction in heart disease within 5 years [1].Trace elements have crucial roles in metabolism, growth, immunological and neurological functions [8][9][10]. Zinc (Zn) is required for an adequate activity of more than 300 enzymes involved in protein synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, reproduction and oxidative clearance [11]. Iron (Fe) is needed for proper oxygen transport, while copper (Cu) is important for the oxido-reduction and detoxification and is involved in growth, development of cellular elements of arterial walls, lipoprotein metabolism and immune function [9,12,13]. The concentrations of serum/plasma minerals Zn, Cu and Fe are associated with the development of chronic diseases [10,14,15]. Deficiency in microelements leads to an increase in fat deposition and obesity [16]. Hypoferremia is often seen in people suffering from hypertension and plasma Zn concentrations have been directly correlated with total cholesterol and LDL-C levels [15,17]. Zn, Cu and Fe plasma levels are related to the extent of myocardial damage [18]. Epidemiological studies show a direct correlation between low plasma Zn and Fe concentrations and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases [19]. Elevated plasma levels of Cu were reported in patients with coronary artery disease [20]. Although deficiencies of trace elements may alter metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins, the mechanism of their action is not yet completely understood. The fatty acid (FA)...

Dietary patterns related to zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids intake are associated with serum linoleic/dihomo-γ-linolenic ratio in NHANES males and females

“…Lean red meat, whole-grain cereals, provide concentrations of Zn that may vary between 25–50 mg/kg raw weight. The food groups found to contribute to Zn intake in the present study were also found in another study that associated Zn intake and food groups 53 .…”

“…Our results showed that serum Zn did not correlate with dietary patterns with foods rich in Zn intake which confirms that blood level of Zn is not a good biomarker of its dietary intake 7 , 53 , 55 – 60 .…”

“…An inverse correlation trend was found between the LA/DGLA ratio and serum Zn (p = 0.07) and a positive correlation between serum Zn and DGLA alone. Others also found a negative correlation trend between LA/DGLA ratio and plasma Zn, but not an association with plasma DGLA alone 53 . On the other hand, another study showed positive correlations between plasma Zn and DGLA and an inverse association between plasma Zn and LA/DGLA ratio 56 .…”

“…We did not find statistically significant correlation between Zn intake alone and LA/DGLA ratio or with DGLA alone. Others found inverse associations between Zn intake alone and LA/DGLA ratio and positive associations with DGLA in humans 12 , 53 , 56 and in birds 65 , 66 . Serum DGLA and the LA/DGLA ratio in the present study were related to short-term Zn and PUFAs intake 67 in unadjusted and adjusted regression models.…”

Association between Serum Zinc and Calcification Propensity (T50) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and In Vitro Effect of Exogenous Zinc on T50

“…However, fibrinogen contains several binding sites for zin ions [67,68]. Because some zinc might have been removed from the blood samples during extraction of the clots, measurement of zinc in plasma obtained with tubes containing a non-chelation-based anticoagulant might be better than the method used in our study [69]. Sixth, we did not measure plasma free fatty acid levels, though those are known to be elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [70,71].…”