Zinc Deficiency in a Patient with Retarded Growth, Hypogonadism, Hypogammaglobulinemia and Chronic Infection

Impairment of cell-mediated immunity functions by dietary zinc deficiency in mice

“…No such lesions occurred in the pair-fed mice on the Zn(+) diet. As described elsewhere (13,15), most of the mice examined showed a decline of thymus weight from 2 weeks onward, and by 6 weeks a virtually complete involution of the thymus had occurred. By contrast, the thymus weight of the pair-fed animals was higher than that of mice on the Zn(-) diet Table 1 summarizes PFC response of C57BL/Ks mice challenged with SRBC at 2, 4, and 6 weeks on different dietary regimens.…”

“…When placed on a Zn(-) diet, 6-to 8-week-old A/Jax, C57BL/Ks, and CBA/H mice showed loss of body weight, low lymphoid tissue weight, and profound involution of the thymus within 4-8 weeks after initiation of the regimen. Approximately 50% of the mice on the Zn(-) diet developed severe acrodermatitis enteropathica (lesions on tail and paws) and diarrhea.…”

“…Deficiency of T Zinc, an essential element in man and animals, is important for stabilization or function of numerous metalloenzymes involved in protein synthesis, protein catabolism, energy metabolism, and both DNA and RNA synthesis (1). Zinc deficiency in man and animals has been associated with hypogonadism, growth retardation, anorexia, gastrointestinal malfunction, and dermatitis characterized by hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). In the A 46 lethal variant of Fresian cattle, dermatitis, diarrhea, failure of thymic development, and severe immunodeficiency occur due to defective absorption of zinc (8).…”

Low Levels of Zinc in Hair, Anorexia, Poor Growth, and Hypogeusia in Children

“…Previously reported cases of zinc deficiency in humans have been associated with factors such as: poor general nutrition [39], blood loss [39], excessive sweating [39], chronic infection [4,39], malabsorption [27], and hospitalization and surgery [36]. Results of the present studies indicate that zinc deficiency may occur in otherwise normal children in this country.…”

“…In other countries, including the United States, there have been isolated reports of zinc deficiency complicating chronic illness [4] or malabsorption [27]. Pories et al [36] have shown that oral supplementation with zinc accelerates healing of wounds in surgical patients, and Sandstead et al [44] have demonstrated that, in the rat, a beneficial effect of such supplementation is observed only in the presence of a pre-existing zinc deficiency.…”