• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2008

The possible protective effects of highly zinc-containing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, FF-10 strain, isolated from tropical fruit rambutan on acute alcoholic liver injury in rats were evaluated. Zinc concentration in this strain was 30.6mg%. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase ($\gamma$-GTP) were highly increased when alcohol was treated, relative to the normal rats. Also, a highly significant increase in the blood alcohol and acetaldehyde levels by alcohol treatment was observed. Administration of FF-10 strain markedly prevented alcohol-induced elevation of the activities of serum ALT, AST, and $\gamma$-GTP, and the levels of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde, and these reduced levels reached to that of normal rats. As compared with alcohol treated control rats, the FF-10 strain supplementation showed highly decreased the triglyceride concentration in serum. Alcohol treatment induced the marked accumulation of small lipid droplets, hepatocytes necrosis, and inflammation, but FF-10 strain administration attenuated to alcohol-induced accumulation of small lipid droplets and hepatocyte necrosis in the liver. Therefore, the current finding suggests that zinc-enriched yeast FF-10 strain isolated from tropical fruit rambutan may have protective effect against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.378-389
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of magnesium, iron, copper and zinc nutrition in 28 normal and 28 obese male elementary school students who have over 30% obesity index. The anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes and serum levels of magnesium, iron, copper and zinc were determined by 24-hr recall method and blood analysis, respectively. The mean age, height, weight, and obesity index were 10.9years, 147.4cm, 61.1kg, and 50.5% in obese group and 10.8years, 145.4cm, 40.2kg, and 3.3% in normal group. There was no significant difference in average daily food intake between obese and normal group, but meats(p＜0.05) intake of obese group was significantly lower than that of normal group. The intakes of energy, magnesium, iron, copper were not significantly difference between obese and normal group, but heme iron(p＜0.05) intake of obese group was significantly lower than that of normal group. Zinc(p＜0.05) intake of obese group was significantly higher than that of normal group. Serum magnesium(p＜0.001) level of obese group was significantly higher than that of normal group, but there were no significant differences in serum iron, copper, zinc levels between obese and normal group. There was a significantly positive correlation between serum magnesium and weight(p＜0.05), and obesity index(p＜0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between serum magnesium and energy intake(p＜0.05), protein intake(p＜0.05), animal protein intake(p＜0.05), phosphorus intake(p＜0.05) and animal iron intake(p＜0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between serum magnesium and seaweeds intake(p＜0.05), milks intake(p＜0.001). Also, there was significantly positive correlation between serum copper and oils and fat intake(p＜0.05). These results suggest that there should be careful considerations for micronutrients nutrition status among male obese elementary school students.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.578-585
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• 2005

Maternal zinc deficiency is relatively common worldwide, but its consequences for pregnancy outcome are not established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of zinc status in the second trimester on pregnancy outcome. Subjects were 248 pregnant Korean women (25-28 wk gestation). Cord blood was collected from subgroup of 69 women and pregnancy outcome data were obtained from 185 babies. Anthropometry measurement, dietary intake, and biochemical characteristics of pregnancy and cord serum substances were measured. The subjects were divided into quartiles on the basis of maternal serum Zn concentration; $ZnQ_1$ (< 25 percentile), $ZnQ_2$ ($26\~50$ percentile), $ZnQ_3$ ($51\~75$ percentile), and $ZnQ_4$ ($76\~100$ percentile). Zn groups were compared in terms of various maternal factors, concentrations of cord serum substances, and pregnancy outcome. Maternal serum Zn concentration was $118.4\;{\pm}\;35.5\;{\mu}g/dl$ as mean. Intake of Zn was lower than Korean RDA. The rate of Zn deficiency among all subjects was $8.5\%$. Maternal serum Zn levels belonged to normal range. Cord serum Zn level was about $154.7\%$ of maternal serum level. Intakes of energy, calcium, iron, folic acid, and riboflavin did not meet the Korean RDA for pregnant women by gestational age. The mean birth weight of neonates is 3083 $\pm$ 697 g, of whom $9.1\%$ were of low birth weight (< 2,500 g). Maternal serum Zn level was positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and vitamin C intake (p < 0.05). $ZnQ_1$ group had significantly lower maternal serum iron concentration and higher cord serum cholesterol than those in other groups. Maternal serum Zn level, cord serum Zn level, and dietary Zn intake were no related to the pregnancy outcome. The birth weight had a correlation with the maternal hemoglobin and albumin concentration. In conclusion, at this study, we could not find the association with maternal Zn status in 2nd trimester and pregnancy outcome.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 1993

This study aims at investigating the relationships between the urinary mercury concentration and blood zinc-protoportphyrin, serum cholinestrase activity, making 149 workers exposed to mercury vapor and 68 workers who were not exposed to mercury among the workers in a flurorescent lamp manufactureing factory an object of this investigation. The results are as follows ; 1. In an exposed group the number of those whose urinary mercury concentration showed over $100{\mu}g/l$ was 21 persons (14.3%) among 147 workers. The average urinary mercury concentration was $52.1{\pm}46.1{\mu}g/l$($1.8-361.2{\mu}g/l$), which proved to be higher than the average concentration in a control group. 2. In an exposed group, the average concentration of blood zinc-protoporphyrin was $27.8{\pm}12.5{\mu}g/dl$($12.2-101.5{\mu}g/dl$), which proved to be somewhat higher than the average concentration in a control group. But it did not show a significant difference. 3. In an exposed group, the average concentration of serum cholinesterase activity showed $1936.7{\pm}341.0IU/l$(1,120,0-2,8750IU/l), which proved to be lower than the average concentration in a control group. 4. The relational coefficient between urinary mercury concentration and blool zinc-protoporphyrin, serum cholinesterase activity of the whole workers exposed to mercury showed little difference. While the relational coefficient between the urinary mercury concentration and blood zinc-protoporphyrin of the workers whose urinary mercury concentration showed over $100{\mu}g/l$ was relatively high, which was 0.62.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 1999

Canine dermatosis associated with zinc deficiency naturally occurred in three districts of Kyungpook. A diagnosis was made by clinical findings, clinico-pathological examinations, skin biopsy, and therapeutic tests. The result was diagnosed as a zinc-deficient dermatosis. The disease occurred in rapidly growing Tosa-dog hybrids 5 to 7 months old. Skin lesions included erytherma, alopecia, crusting, scaling around the mouth, eyes, legs and tail. Clinico-pathological findings were decreased serum zinc levels, slightly increased white blood cells, and secondary Staphylococcus intermedius infection of the crusts. The skin biopsies for histopathological examination revealed marked parakeratotic hyperkeratosis. The patients with skin lesions were successfully treated by zinc methonine(Zinpro) medication In conclusion, serum zinc level and skin biopsy are very helpful in diagnosis of canine zinc-deficient dermatosis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2011

To evaluate the effect of feeding methods on growth and zinc nutritional status of infants early in life, we monitored from birth to 36 months in 51 infants who were exclusively fed human milk (HM, n=20), casein-based formula (CBF, n=12), or soy-based formula (SBF, n=19) during the first five months of life. Zinc status was assessed by analyzing serum zinc concentrations and zinc intakes. Zinc contents in HM and formulas were measured. Zinc intake was estimated by weighing infants before and after feeding in the HM group and by collecting formula-intake records in the CBF and SBF groups. After solid foods were introduced, all foods consumed were also included to estimate zinc intake. The growth of infants in all groups was similar to that established for normal Korean infants. Human milk zinc concentrations declined as lactation progressed. Zinc concentrations in all formulas tested in this study were higher than HM and were also higher than those claimed by the manufacturers. During the first twelve months, mean serum zinc concentrations of infants were similar in all groups, although infants in the HM group consistently had the lowest zinc intake among the groups, and the overall zinc intake in infants fed SBF was highest. This finding could be explained by the difference zinc bioavailability of HM and formulas. In conclusion, infants fed HM, CBF or SBF has normal growth up to three years of age, although HM contained the lowest zinc concentration followed by CBF, then SBF.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D and zinc are recognized for their roles in immune-modulation, and their deficiencies are suggested to be important risk factors for childhood infections. This study, therefore, undertook to assess the occurrence of infections in rural Indian schoolchildren, subsequent to daily supplementation with vitamin D-calcium or zinc for 6 months. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in apparently healthy 6-12 year-old rural Indian children, recruited to 3 study arms: vitamin D arm (1,000 IU D3 - 500 mg calcium, n = 135), zinc arm (10 mg, n = 150) and placebo arm (n = 150). The infection status was assessed using a validated questionnaire, and the biochemical parameters of serum 25(OH)D and serum zinc were measured by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively. The primary outcome variable was occurrence of infections (upper respiratory and total infections). RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D concentration in the vitamin D arm improved significantly by 34%, from 59.7 ± 10.9 nmol/L to 80 ± 23.3 nmol/L (P < 0.0001), but no improvement was observed for serum zinc concentration. While there was significant increase in the percentage of children reporting no or mild upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and total infections (TI) in all three groups, improvements in the supplemented groups were similar to the placebo group. However, the vitamin D arm reported lower URTI and TI status in the vitamin D sufficient versus insufficient children. Also, URTI and TI status were found to be significantly (P < 0.0001) lower in children with improved 25(OH)D versus unchanged 25(OH)D. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D-calcium supplementation helped to improve the vitamin D status but exerts no effect on the occurrence of infections when compared to the placebo group. Improvement in the serum 25(OH)D concentrations and attainment of vitamin D sufficiency may exert a beneficial effect on the infection status and needs to be investigated further. To evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplementation, higher dosages need to be administered in future studies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships among zinc status, diet quality, glycemic control and self-rated physical activity level of type 2 diabetic patients. Dietary intakes for two non-consecutive days were measured by 24-hour recall method for seventy-six diabetic patients. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were measured for the assessment of glycemic control. We evaluated the extent of dietary adequacy by the percentage of subjects with a dietary intake of a nutrient less than the estimated average requirement(EAR), the dietary diversity score(DDS) and the dietary variety score(DVS). Zinc status was assessed from serum levels and urinary excretion. Dietary inadequacy was serious for five nutrients: riboflavin, calcium, thiamin, zinc and vitamin C. Dietary intakes from the meat, fish, and egg food groups and the milk food group were below the recommended level. We found that subjects with high levels of physical activities had significantly higher DVS and serum zinc levels compared to others (p

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.1032-1036
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary zinc on macro mineral contents of high fat diet-induced obese rats. The obese group was divided into three groups by zinc levels of diet, such as low (50% requirement), adequate (100%) and high (200%) levels of dietary zinc. The calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium contents in serum and organs were measured by ICP. There were no significant differences in the food intake, weight gain and feed efficiency ratio among the different dietary zinc levels. Also, the liver, kidney and spleen weight did not show the significant differences among each level of dietary zinc. However, serum sodium and potassium concentrations in the low zinc diet group were significantly higher than in the other diet groups. In high zinc diet group, the calcium contents of liver was significantly higher than in the other diet groups, magnesium and potassium contents of liver were higher than in the low zinc diet group. The sodium contents of liver and magnesium and potassium contents of spleen were significantly lower in the low zinc diet group than in the other diet groups. In conclusion, the macro mineral contents of serum, liver and spleen in obese rats were changed by dietary zinc levels. Especially, the low zinc diet group considerably changed of macro mineral contents in organs. Therefore, it may be suggested that adequate level of dietary zinc in obese individuals should be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.209-212
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• 2007

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of early infancy, and is characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and intractable diarrhea. Serum zinc levels are usually low in untreated patients and the oral administration of zinc sulfate can clear skin lesions and other symptoms. Although premature and cow's milk-fed infants are at particular risk of developing AE, there have been a few reports about AE in term and breast-fed infants. We report a case of transient AE in a 4-month-old breast-fed infant. This patient suffered from diarrhea and dermatitis for more than a month. Her skin lesions were erythematous, scaly, crusted, psoriasiform, eczematous, with an eruption at the chin, and a periorificial disposition with involvement of the flexural areas of lower extremities. Her serum zinc level was almost normal at $129{\mu}g/dL$ (reference range: $60-121{\mu}g/dL$), but the zinc level in her hair was low: 8 mg percent (reference range: 10-21 mg percent). Skin biopsy findings were consistent with AE. Seven days after zinc supplementation, the skin lesions and diarrhea improved. The authors recommend that a clinical trial of zinc supplementation be considered in cases where there are suspicious of AE, even when the serum zinc level is normal.