Zinc excretion in osteoporotic women

Abstract

The relation of zinc to the aging skeleton was investigated in 140 women aged 36-85 years, mostly postmenopausal, who attended the Jerusalem Osteoporosis Center. Osteoporosis was determined by lumbar spine radiograms (Smith index). Bone density (BD) of the distal radius was assessed by Compton spectroscopy and bone mineral content (BMC) at the same site by single-photon absorptiometry. Urine samples (24 h) were analyzed for zinc (UZn), hydroxyproline (UHP), calcium (UCa), magnesium (UMg), and phosphorus (UP) and expressed per gram creatinine. Patients with definite osteoporosis (n = 94) compared to subjects with borderline or no osteoporosis (n = 34) had a significantly higher mean age (67.4 versus 58.6 years), postmenopausal age (PMA, 19.9 versus 11.0), UZn (811 versus 581), UHP (23.5 versus 18.2), and UMg (90.4 versus 74.3). Urinary calcium UCa and phosphorus UP were similar in both groups. The bone mass measurements BD, BMC, and CI were lower in the osteoporotic group. Hyperzincuria (UZn above 800 micrograms/g creatinine) was found in 41 osteoporotic patients (45%) compared to 6 subjects in the control group (17%). In view of the positive correlation between UZn and age (r = 0.35, p = 0.001) and to eliminate the effect of age, a separate analysis was performed for 66 subjects under the age of 65 in whom the mean age was similar for the osteoporosis patients (n = 38) and control group (n = 28). Nevertheless, the osteoporosis patients still had a significantly higher mean UZn and UHP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of tamarind ingestion on fluoride excretion in humans

“…Zinc deficiency is associated with skeletal growth impairment (Oner et al, 1984). It is reported to be a contributory factor in osteoporosis observed in postmenopausal women (Herzberg et al, 1990). Decrease in zinc excretion with tamarind supplementation may have a beneficial effect on the skeletal health of children from fluorotic areas.…”

Runx2/Osterix and Zinc Uptake Synergize to Orchestrate Osteogenic Differentiation and Citrate Containing Bone Apatite Formation

“…Intriguingly, the activity of citrate metabolizing enzyme ACO2 is inhibited by a high level of zinc (Zn 2+ ), leading to citrate accumulation and eventual secretion into the ECM, highlighting a connection between Zn 2+ and citrate homeostasis 5. The majority of Zn 2+ in the body is stored in the skeleton and released during bone resorption 6. Furthermore, Zn 2+ acts as an activator or coactivator of a variety of proteins involved in osteogenesis including the earliest determinant of osteoblast differentiation runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and its downstream target gene Osterix, a zinc finger motif containing transcription factor 7.…”

The relationship between the zinc nutritive status and biochemical markers of bone turnover in older European adults: the ZENITH study

“…Urinary zinc was positively correlated with serum osteocalcin in the older European adults in the present study. Some researchers have found an elevated urinary zinc excretion in osteoporotic women when compared to their age-matched controls (Herzberg et al, 1990;Szathmari et al, 1993;Relea et al, 1995). However, whether a causal relationship between urinary zinc and bone loss exists has yet to be defined.…”

“…An inverse correlation between zinc intake and bone loss in postmenopausal women was observed by Freudenheim et al (1986). Some researchers have found an elevated urinary zinc excretion in osteoporotic women when compared to their age-matched controls (Herzberg et al, 1990;Szathmari et al, 1993;Relea et al, 1995); however, this may be related to increased bone resorption (Relea et al, 1995) leading to liberation of bone-bound zinc. More recently, Lowe et al (2002) reported that plasma zinc concentrations (as well as fractional zinc absorption) of osteoporotic elderly women were significantly (Po0.05) lower than that of young women.…”