• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.705-712
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to assess the zinc and copper nutritional status of 102 college women by measuring zinc and copper intake, hematological parameters of zinc and copper, hair zinc and urinary excretion of zinc and copper. The mean zinc intake was 5.5mg(45.8% RDA) with food analysis and 4.5mg(37.8% RDA) with computation from food composition table. The copper intake with food analysis was 2.3mg and 1.2mg with computation. Mean serum zinc concentration was 77.02ug/dl and the proportion of subjects with zinc deficiency estimated by serum zinc(<70ug/dl)was 23.0%. Mean serum copper concentration was 121.80ug/dl and 4.1% of subjects showed serum copper less than 70ug/dl, The mean ceruloplasmin concentration was 22.63mg/dl and the proportion of subjects whose ceruloplasmin was lower than 18-40mg/dl was 6.6%. The mean hair zinc of subjects was 143.8ppm and the mean hair copper was 11.2ppm. The mean urinary excretion of zinc was 0.43mg/day and the proportion of subjects with marginal deficiency estimated by urinary zinc excretion( <0.3mg/day) was 23.3%. The mean urinary copper excretion was 0.044mg/day which was within the normal range(0.01-0.06mg/day). Assessing by zinc content in hair, urine and serum, 22.9-23.3% of college women had bordeline zinc deficiency or zinc deficiency. Whereas 4.1-6.6% of college women was assessed copper deficiency estimated by serum copper and ceruloplasmin.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.387-396
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of increase in the ratio of zinc to copper and alcohol consumption on serum lipid content in Sprague-Dawley male rats during five weeks. Sixty rats were divided into six groups, CZ < zinc 30ppm diet >, CZA < zinc 30 ppm diet plus alcohol 5% solution >, HZ < zinc 300ppm diet >, HZA < zinc 300ppm diet plus alcohol 5% solution >, SHZ < zinc 600ppm diet >, SHZA < zinc 600 ppm diet plus alcohol 5% solution >. High ratio of zinc to copper groups < HZ, SHZ > were significantly decreased in high-density lipoprotein (p<0.01) and increased in total cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid in serum(p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.01). Triglyceride levels of serum in alcohol groups < CZA, HZA, SHZA > were significantly higher (p<0.001) than non-alcohol group < CCZ, HZ, SHZ >. Copper levels of serum were reduced in group high ratio of zinc to copper. These results present that high ratio of zinc to copper increase cholesterol(p<0.001) and alcohol consumption increase triglyceride(p<0.001) in serum. This close association to lipid metabolism in rats draw attention to the potential significance of zinc and alcohol nutriture in relation to cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 1972

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements in the living organism for growth and health. The first identified metalloenzyme, carbonic anhydrase, is a zinc compound and several others have been described since. Among zinc deficiency syndromes in animals porcine parakeratosis has been successfully treated with zinc supplements, and in man a syndrome of anemia, hypogonadism, hepatosplenomegaly, and dwarfism, prevalent in parts of Iran and Egypt, has been ascribed to lack of zinc in the diet. Dietary zinc excess in the rat is manifested by a hypochromic, microcytic anemia, poor growth, reduction in liver catalase and cytochrome oxidase. The present study is an attempt to delineate the changes of tissue contents of trace elements, especially of iron, copper and zinc in liver and kidneys of the rats. Weanling albino rats, weighing 60 to 80gm. were used in this experiments. The rats were housed in cages with aluminum floors and received feed and distilled water ad libitum. Animals were divided into three groups, control, low zinc diet and high zinc diet groups. The high zinc diet group was subdivided into 0.5% Zn and 0.7%Zn groups. The supplementary copper or iron was added to the high dietary zinc groups. The animals were sacrificed and the tissues were washed several times with deionized water. The wet digested samples were analyzed by Hitachi Model 207 atomic absorption spectro-photometer for the determination of iron, copper and zinc in the liver and kidney. Hemoglobin level in the blood was measured by cyanmethemoglobin method. The results of this study are as follows: 1) All rats fed high zinc diets and low zinc diets gained less weight than control. Weight gain was not improved by the supplementary copper or iron and both. 2) Hemoglobin concentration was decreased significantly in the rats fed high zinc diets and less in the low zinc diet. Supplementary copper and iron to the higher zinc diet appeared to give some improvement of anemia. 3) The iron contents of the liver and kidneys were significantly decreased in the high zinc groups and the reduction was more significantly in the rats receiving higher zinc diet (0.7%). The supplementary copper caused a further depression of liver iron. On the other hand, the iron, added to the high zinc diet lessoned the severity of the decrease in liver iron and caused kidney iron to be maintained almost at the level found in the rats fed by zinc and supplementary copper diet. 4) High zinc diets did not change copper content of the liver and kidney. Supplementary copper elevated the concentration in the liver and kidney and added iron had no effect on the accumulation of copper in the liver and kidneys. 5) The high zinc diets caused marked increases of zinc content in the liver and kidney. Supplementary iron to the high zinc diet caused increases of zinc contents of liver and kidneys.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2010

Although copper and zinc are essential metals for human health, excessive level of these metals is toxic. Besides, aluminum is known to induce various adverse health effects including neurological disorders. Therefore, monitoring the human body burden of these metals is important in preventing adverse health effects. In this study, we assessed the exposure to copper, zinc, and aluminum among an adult population residing in Daegu and Kyungbuk areas. Based on data from 171 participants, we found that the geometric mean copper, zinc, and aluminum concentrations in hair were $15.1\;{\mu}g/g$ [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.1~17.5], 76.9 (95% CI: 70.4~84.1), and $1.11\;{\mu}g/g$ (95% CI: 0.81~1.51), respectively. The copper concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, education, and residence area. In addition, zinc concentrations in hair were significantly related to age, whereas higher hair aluminum concentrations were related to alcohol drinking. Correlations between copper and zinc in hair had a significant positive correlation. Our findings suggest that the body burden of copper, zinc, and aluminum varies according to demographic factors, and hair could be used as a valuable biological medium for metal exposure.

• 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.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.2 s.61
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• pp.265-274
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• 1998

To investigate the change of nitric oxide(NO), copper, and zinc in serum on smoking and alcohol ingestion in young adults, this study was performed in a cross-sectional study in 127 healthy men in Korea who had HBsAg(-), HCVAb(-), and no symptomatic liver, heart, gastrointestinal, chronic diseases, and inflammatory sign(lower than 10,000 white blood cell count in CBC). At the men's entry into the study, blood samples were drawn from each subject and immediately centrifuged for analysis of NO, copper, and zinc. Each man completed a questionnaire that provided information on smoking, alcohol intake and present and past medical history NO was analyzed by HPLC(Green et al., 1982), copper and zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometer with air-acetylene flame and total cholesterol(TC) by Spectrum EPX. Smoking(number of cigarettes per day and pack-year) and alcohol intake was grouped fertile. Copper was adjusted for age and zinc and for age and TC. NO, copper, and zinc on smoking and alcohol ingestion were analyzed in general linear models, respectively. NO, copper and zinc in serum did not show statistical differences between non-smoking and high-smoking group and no-alcohol intake and high-alcohol intake group. This study suggested that copper, zinc, and NO was not. good biological marker for early effect by smoking and alcohol intake in young adults. However, selection bias should be considered in evaluation of this result. A large prospective study will be needed in advance on usefulness of copper, zinc, and NO as a marker for risk factors and early change of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.347-356
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• 1993

Plasma concentrations of zinc and copper were measured in 59 non-pregnant women and 105 pregnant women(12 ; early pregant, 93 ; late pregnant) to estimate and compare both groups and to detect the effects of iron supplementation on the plasma zinc and copper concentrations in the pregant women. The mean plasma zinc concentration of the early pregnant group was not significantly different with those of the non-pregnant group. But in contrast, the mean plasma zinc concentration of the late pregnant group was significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant and early pregnant group. Mean plasma copper concentration were significantly elevated in ealry pregnant group and doubled in late pregnant compared to non-pregnant. In Fe supplemented group, mean plasma zinc concentrations were lower and mean plasma copper higher than those of Fe non-supplemented group. It appeared that Fe supplementation had effects on the decrease of plasma zinc concentrations in pregnancy.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2004

The objectives of the present study were to measure the content of iron, copper and zinc in human milk and to estimate the intake of iron, copper and zinc of breast-fed infants during the early period of lactation. Twenty-five lactating women who delivered in a hospital in Seoul volunteered for the study. Milk samples were collected at day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15 and 30 postpartum. The contents of iron, copper and zinc were determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer after wet digestion. The intakes of iron, copper and zinc of infants were estimated by multiplization with the infant milk intake reported in our laboratory. The content of iron was 0.58 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in colostrum, 0.48 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in transitional milk and 0.39 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in mature milk while the estimated iron intake of infants was 271, 255 and 259 $\mu\textrm{g}$/day, respectively. The content of copper in the milk was 0.45 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in colostrum, 0.43 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in transitional milk and 0.33 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in mature milk while the estimated copper intake of infants was 210, 229 and 220 $\mu\textrm{g}$/day, respectively. The content of zinc in the milk was 5.24 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in colostrum, 3.70 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in transitional milk, 2.93 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g in mature milk while the estimated zinc intake of infants was 2452, 1968, and 1949 $\mu\textrm{g}$/day, respectively. These results suggest that copper and zinc intake of infants are met to RDA but iron is not.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1501-1511
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• 2015

As essential trace elements, copper and zinc play important roles in many physiological events in plants. In excess, however, these elements can limit plant growth. This study selected a heavy metal-tolerant plant by analyzing seed germination and biomass of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), canola (Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. nippo-oleifera), Chinese corn (Setaria italica), and a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor ${\times}$ S. sudanense), and determined heavy metal uptake capacity by analyzing biomass, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and heavy metal contents under high external copper or zinc levels. The seed germination rate and biomass of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid were higher under copper or zinc stress compared to the other three plants. The plant biomass and photosynthetic pigment contents of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid seedlings were less vulnerable under low levels of heavy metals (${\leq}50ppm$ copper or ${\leq}400ppm$ zinc). The maximum quantum yield of PSII ($F_v/F_m$) and the maximum primary yield of PSII ($F_v/F_o$) decreased with increasing copper or zinc levels. Under high copper levels, the decline in $F_v/F_m$ was caused only by the decline in $F_m$, and was accompanied by an increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The $F_v/F_m$ declined under high levels of zinc due to both a decrease in the maximum fluorescence ($F_m$) and an increase in the initial fluorescence ($F_o$), and this was accompanied by a marked decrease in photochemical quenching (qP), but not by an increase in NPQ. Accumulations of copper and zinc were found in both aboveand below-ground parts of plants, but were greater in the below-ground parts. The uptake capacity of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid for copper and zinc reached 4459.1 mg/kg under 400 ppm copper and 9028.5 mg/kg under 1600 ppm zinc. Our results indicate that the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid contributes to the in situ phytoremediation of copper or zinc polluted soils due to its high biomass yield.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the biochemical status of iron, zinc and copper for 125 preschool children (Males : 69, Females : 56) residing in a low-income area of Seoul. The number of subjects aged, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were 19, 41, 41 and 24, respectively. The hemoglobin level of the children aged 3 was 11.8 g/dl and was lower thant hat of the other groups(p<0.05). Similar results were found for hematocrit and serum zinc. The percentage of children with an iron deficiency assessed by Hb(3-5) years : <11.0g/dl, 6 years: <11.5g/dl), Hct(3-6 years : 33%, 6 years : <35%), serum transferrin(<16%) and serum ferritin(<10ng/ml) were 4.3%, 9.5%, 8.2% and 17.7%, respectively. The mean serum zinc was 67.9$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and urinary zinc was 0.1300mg/day. Low serum zinc (61.0$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl) occurred in 28.0% of the children. The mean serum copper was 110.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and urinary copper was 0.0126mg/day. The prevalence of children with elevated serum copper($\geq$ 130$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl) was 54.8%, which was higher than 7.4%, the prevalence of low serum copper(<70$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl). Children with higher status, more weight, larger girth of chest, or larger midarm circumference showed higher values of Hb. The height and weight of children also showed a positive crrelation with serum zinc(P<0.001-P<0.05).