• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.389-396
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• 1998

This study was intended to examine the zinc status and effect of zinc supplementation on the zinc nutritional status of the elderly living in the Ulsan area. The zinc intake of 207 subjects(male 97, female 110) was measured by a 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency method. Biochemical analysis were conducted from blood and urine samples to evaluate the changes of zinc nutriture with zinc supplementation. The average dietary zinc intake of subjects was $7.7\pm{2.8mg}$ for male and $7.5\pm{2.6mg}$ for female, which were 51.3% and 62.3% of Korean RDA respectively. The first source of zinc was cereal and grain(36%), and the second was eggs and milk group(27%). After 8 weeks of zinc supplementation, the serum zinc content was significantly increased(p<0.01), although the serum copper content was not significantly decrease. Serum HDL- cholesterol level was not significantly decreased with zinc supplementation. Serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity and urinary zinc excretion were significantly increased(p<0.05). The urinary Zn/Cr was not significantly increased. It is suggested from the results that the daily zinc supplementation can be effective to improve zinc nutriture.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 1999

This study was conducted to assess dietary intake and nutritional status of zinc and copper in Korean college women. Dietary survey was conducted by 24-hour recall method and fasting serum samples were collected from 111 apparently healthy subjects. Intake levels of zinc and copper were calculated using newly developed database for Zn & Cu of Korea food. Serum levels of Zn, Cu and activities of ALP, EC-SOD were measured from fasting serum sample. Mean daily zinc and copper intakes were 6.72mg/day(56.0% RDA) and 1.11mg/day respectively. Mean values of serum ALP activity, zinc and copper concentration were 43.9U/L, 14.8umol/1, 15.5umol/1and these values were mostly within normal range. EC-SOD activitis of the subjects were low and had no correlation with intake or serum levels of Zn, Cu. In conclusion, these results show that zinc and copper intake of Koran college women are lower than those from other counties but higher than those of adults in rural area of Korea. Their serum levels of Zn, Cu, ALP are relatively normal. These results indicate that marginal deficiency of Zn and Cu may be quite prevalent in these subjects but serum indicators measured may not be sensitive enough to detect such marginal deficiency. Further study in needed to develop a biochemical index sensitive enough to evaluate Zn and Cu status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.814-821
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal zinc status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationship between the zinc concentration of maternal, umblical cord blood and placental tissue and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 53 pregnant women just before delivery and the cord blood of their newborn babies was collected immediately after birth. In addition, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference in the concentration of zinc in maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue in two gestational age groups (preform delivery group [PT] and normal term delivery group [NT]) at 34.7 wk and 39.0 wk of mean gestational age, respectively). We also assessed correlations of the zinc concentration of maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Lastly, we studied the correlations between the birth weights and the zinc concentration in the maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum zinc and of umbilical cord serum zinc were significantly higher in the PT group (76.9$\pm$37.4 $\mu/dl$, 101.3$\pm$41.4 $\mu/dl$) than in those of the NT group (57.8$\pm$22.4 $\mu/dl$, 80.7$\pm$27.5 $\mu/dl$), respectively (p<0.05). The zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood was significantly higher than that of the maternal blood in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the gestational age and the serum zinc concentration in the cord or the maternal serum. Our results showed that there was a negative relationship between the birth weight (r=-0.286) and the maternal serum zinc concentration. Despite there not being a significant difference, there was tendency for the highest concentrations of maternal serum zinc to be associated with the lowest birth weights. These findings support a possible relationship between the maternal zinc status and the pregnancy outcome, and suggest that zinc may play a role in the many biological processes involved in the successful outcome of a pregnancy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc status of preschool children in Ulsan. The study was conducted in 95 children aged 3 to 6 years by investigating the anthropometric indices and assessing the biochemical analysis. The blood was analysed to assess serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase. And a questionnaire for dietary intakes using 24-hr recall method were performed by mothers of 95 subjects. The dietary intakes of children were analysed to determine the prevalence of inadequate and excessive intakes of zinc with Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). WHL (Weight-Length Index) and Kaup index were used to define obesity. The overall prevalence of overweight and obese subjects were 14.7% and 6.3% by WHL, were 15.8% and 13.7% by Kaup index. The mean intakes of zinc by children aged 3${\sim}$5y and 6y were 5.5 ${\pm}$ 1.4 mg/d (75.7% RDA) and 6.7 ${\pm}$ 2.0 mg/d, respectively, that was the level exceeding the estimated average requirement (EAR) and the recommended intake (RI) of Korean Dietary Reference Intakes. Less than 1.3% and 7.9% of children had usual zinc intakes below EAR and RI of KDRIs, respectively. The percentages of children with intakes exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) were 2.6%. The zinc nutritional status by biological assay was found that mean serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of total subjects were 64.0 ${\pm}$ 8.4 ${\mu}$g/dl and 72.8 ${\pm}$ 14.9 U/L, there was not a significant difference between boys and girls. The range of serum zinc level was 45${\sim}$89 ${\mu}$g/dl and children with a low serum zinc concentration by several cut-off points were 18.9${\sim}$55.8%, especially. Serum zinc level was positively correlated to the intakes of calorie, calcium, fiber, iron, zinc, zinc/kg and height (p<0.001). Serum ALP was positively correlated height, weight and WLI. The zinc intake of children aiso showed a positive correlation with height and weight. These results indicate that there were significant correlations between the zinc status and growth of preschool children. Preschool children in Ulsan have dietary zinc intakes that exceed the new DRIs. The present level of intake does not seem to pose a health problem, but if zinc intakes with fortified foods and supplements were considered, the amount of zinc consumed by children may become excessive.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2016

Purpose: Zinc deficiency can induce serious clinical problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and immune system and can affect growth and development. It is more severe in younger patients. Chronic zinc deficiency is reflected more precisely in hair than in serum. We studied hair zinc levels and other hair and serum micronutrients in chronic malnourished children to identify which micronutrients are affected or correlated with the other ones. Methods: Hair mineral analyses were performed in 56 children (age, 1-15 years) presenting with malnutrition, poor growth, poor appetite, anorexia, with/without other GI symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation) from August 2012 to March 2015. Biochemical studies for macronutrients and major micronutrients were also conducted. Results: Hair zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 88%, and serum zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 55% of the children. There was no statistical correlation between serum and tissue zinc level. Hair zinc levels were highly correlated with serum vitamin D (r=-0.479, p=0.001), which also showed correlation with hair levels of magnesium and calcium. (r=0.564, 0.339, p=0.001, 0.011). Hair calcium level was correlated with serum pre-albumin (r=0.423, p=0.001). These correlations may explain the phenomenon that the major clinical manifestation of zinc deficiency is poor body growth. Clinical symptoms were resolved in most children after zinc supplementation. Conclusion: Hair zinc and mineral analyses are useful as a therapeutic guide in the clinical investigation of children with malnutrition and poor growth.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.383-386
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• 2011

Acrodermatitis enteropathica due to zinc deficiency is characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and intractable diarrhea. Here we report a case of transient acrodermatitis enteropathica in a 2-month-old preterm infant, whose skin is erythematous, scaly, eczematous, with an eruption starting from the periorificial area. While her serum zinc level was normal at 118.2 ug/dL, the serum alkaline phosphatase level was low at 48 IU/L and the serum alkaline phosphatase level get increased concordant with clinical improvement after zinc supplementation. Hence, this case shows that the diagnosis of zinc deficiency can be aided with a low level of serum alkaline phoaphatase although serum zinc level is normal.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.487-491
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although globally the numbers of children diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT) have decreased, FTT is still a serious pediatric problem. We aimed to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation for 6 months on growth parameters of infants and children with FTT. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this retrospective study, of the 114 participants aged between 4 months and 6 years, 89 were included in the zinc supplementation group and were provided with nutrition counseling plus an oral zinc supplement for 6 months. The caregivers of the 25 participants in the control group received nutrition counseling alone. Medical data of these children, including sex, age, height, weight, serum zinc level, and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) level were analyzed. RESULTS: Zinc supplementation for 6 months increased weight-for-age Z-score and serum zinc levels (5.5%) in the zinc supplementation group of underweight category children. As for stunting category, height-for-age Z-score of the participants in the zinc supplementation group increased when compared with the baseline, and serum zinc levels increased in the normal or mild stunting group. Serum IGF1 levels did not change significantly in any group. Thus, zinc supplementation was more effective in children in the underweight category than those in the stunted category; this effect differed according to the degree of the FTT. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that zinc supplementation may have beneficial effects for growth of infants and children with FTT, and zinc supplementation would be required according to degree of FTT.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.252-263
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• 2006

Zinc is an antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals and known to be involved in inflammatory reactions. The prevalence of atherogenic diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD) are increasing in Korean adults of middle age and elderly. The increased cell damage from free radicals and inflammation have been implicated in etiology of CHD, and the evidence is accumulating that low zinc status is involved in the prevalence of this inflammatory atherogenic disease. However, little is known about the zinc status of Korean CHD and its relationship with dietary zinc intake and zinc bioavailabilty. In this study the serum zinc levels of male patients with CHD over 40 yrs. were compared with that of healthy adult males and its associations with dietary zinc intake and zinc bioavailabilty affecting factors were examined. Serum zinc level was measured by HANARO research reactor using neutron activation analysis (NAA) method. The overall proportion of patients with zinc deficiency, serum zinc concentrations below $74.0{\mu}g/dL$ was 32.8% compared to the 10.3% in healthy group. The average serum zinc levels were $80.7{\mu}g/dL\;and\;88.3{\mu}g/dL$ in patients and healthy group, respectively, showing significantly low zinc status in CHD patients compared to healthy group. The intake of nutrients such as energy, carbohydrate, iron, and copper of CHD patients was significantly higher compared to that of the healthy group. In addition, the intake of calcium, iron, and protein from vegetable foods was significantly higher in CHD patients than that of healthy group. The dietary zinc intake was $12.7{\pm}4.5mg$ and $11.5{\pm}6.9mg$ in CHD patients and control group, respectively, which showed no difference. The phytate intake of patients group, which is 1389.0 mg, was significantly higher than the control group which showed 1104.8 mg. However, the ratio of phytate: zinc or phytate * calcium. zinc per 1000 kcal energy intake did not show any difference between two groups. The serum zinc levels did not show any correlation with zinc or factors that affect the bioavailability of zinc. The dietary factors influencing the zinc status were not found in CHD patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.534-541
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• 2012

This study examined salty taste acuity and salty taste preference and sodium intake in relation to zinc nutritional status in 2 rural populations in Korea. And we also examined the main food contributors of their sodium intakes. We enrolled 218 adults (66 men and 152 women) from the Kangneung and Samcheok regions in Korea's Kangwon province in our study conducted from December 2011 to February 2012. Participants from each region were divided into 3 groups based on their serum zinc level (T1: lowest, T2: intermediate, T3: highest). We compared the salty taste acuity and preference, Na index (Dish Frequency Questionnaire for estimation of habitual sodium intake), blood pressure, and intakes of nutrients including sodium by 3 groups of serum zinc level. The results were as follows: a higher serum zinc level indicated a lower sodium intake and Na index (P<0.05). The salty taste acuity was considerably higher for participants from the Kangneung region than those from the Samcheok region (P<0.05). And the serum zinc level was significantly higher in participants from the Kangneung region than those from the Samcheok region (P<0.05). We further divided the participants into 2 groups: those who consumed more zinc than the recommended intake (RI) and the others. We compared salty taste acuity and salty taste preference in the 2 groups. The salty taste threshold and palatable salty taste concentrations were lower for the group with a zinc intake above RI than for the group with zinc intake below the RI. However, the difference was not significant. This study confirms that taste function differs depending on zinc nutritional status. In future, it is required to a large-scale, long-term, prospective study on the correlation between zinc intake, serum zinc levels, and taste perception function and blood pressure.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.25-38
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• 2005

In order to investigate the effect of dietary zinc and phytic acid levels on enzyme activity and lipid metabolism in rats, male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing approximately 60-74g, were fed different diets which contained 0, 0.35 or $1.05\%$ phytic acid each at 3 levels of zinc (0, 30 and 1500ppm zinc) for 28 days. Body weight gain, food consumption, and food efficiency ratio were lower in the rats fed a zinc deficient diet (0ppm zinc) than those consuming 30 or 1500ppm dietary zinc. The activities of GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase were lower in the rats consuming 30ppm zinc than those fed 0 or 1500ppm zinc diet. The activity of GOT was increased in rats consuming $0.35\%$ phytic acid, whereas that of alkaline phosphatase was decreased in the rats fed phytic acid-containing diet. The concentration of phospholipid in serum was higher in rats fed $0.35\%$ dietary phytic acid, whereas that of liver phospholipid was higher in zinc deficient groups, and increased by addition of dietary phytic acid. The concentration of triglyceride in serum from rats fed 30ppm zinc was lower than those fed 0 or 1500ppm zinc On the other hand, liver triglyceride was higher in both the rats fed 30ppm zinc and $0.35\%$ phytic acid. The concentration of serum total cholesterol was lower in the rats fed 30ppm zinc diet, and it was increased by addition of dietary phytic acid. But liver total cholesterol was higher in 30ppm zinc group. HDL-cholesterol in serum was the highest in both rats consuming 30ppm zinc and $0.35\%$ dietary phytic acid, and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol was higher in rats consuming 30ppm zinc diet. In conclusion, we suggest that coronary heart disease or liver disease can be prevented with phytic acid in rats which are fed the high zinc diet.