• 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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3355-3360
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• 2015

Background: Zinc transporters have been considered as essential regulators in many cancers; however, their mechanisms remain unknown, especially in gliomas. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(IDH1) mutation is crucial to glioma. This study aimed to investigate whether zinc transporters are correlated with glioma grade and IDH1 mutation status. Materials and Methods: IDH1 mutation status and mRNA expression of four zinc transporters (ZIP4, ZIP9, ZIP11, and ZnT9) were determined by subjecting a panel of 74 glioma tissue samples to quantitative real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. The correlations between the expression levels of these zinc transporter genes and the grade of glioma, as well as IDH1 mutation status, were investigated. Results: Among the four zinc transporter genes, high ZIP4 expression and low ZIP11 expression were significantly associated with higher grade (grades III and IV) tumors compared with lower grade (grades I and II) counterparts (p<0.0001). However, only ZIP11 exhibited weak correlation with IDH1 mutation status (p=0.045). Samples with mutations in IDH1 displayed higher ZIP11 expression than those without IDH1 mutations. Conclusions: This finding indicated that zinc transporters may interact with IDH1 mutation by direct modulation or action in some shared pathways or genes to promote the development of glioma. Zinc transporters may play an important role in glioma. ZIP4 and ZIP11 are promising molecular diagnostic markers and novel therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, the detailed biological function of zinc transporters and the mechanism of the potential interaction between ZIP11 and IDH1 mutation in gliomagenesis should be further investigated.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to assess the zinc and copper status of type 2 diabetic women and to analyse the relation-ship among zinc and copper status, and diabetic control indices of diabetes. The mean age of diabetes was 57.9 years old. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.0 $\pm$ 6.5 years. The mean daily energy intake of diabetes was 1562 kcal. There were no significant differences of age, BMI, %body fat, nutritional intakes, total energy intake, and energy composition from carbohydrate, protein, and fat between diabetes (n = 50) and control group (n = 68). However, both zinc intake density (4.15 mg/1000 kcal) and zinc %RDA (62.0%) of diabetes were significantly lower than control group (p <0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The plasma zinc level was not significantly different between diabetes and control group (90$\mu$g/dl, 91$\mu$g/dl respectively). The proportion of diabetic women whose plasma zinc levels were lower than 76 $\mu$g/dl(borderline zinc deficiency) was 18.8%. This was about 38% higher than control group. It has been suggested that insulin secretion might decrease in borderline plasma zinc and copper deficiency and increase in normal plasma zinc and copper status. The urinary zinc excretion was twice higher in diabetes than in control group (p < 0.001). The urinary zinc loss was positively correlated with the duration of diabetes (p < 0.05), hyperglycemia (p < 0.001) and insulin resistance (p < 0.05). These results lead us to conclude that normal blood glucose level controlled by diet therapy could improve the hyperzincuria in diabetic women.

• 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.33 no.8
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• pp.848-856
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• 2000

The study was designed to assess the zinc nutritional status by gestational age of pregnant women visiting in public health centers in Ulsan. The subjects were divided into 3 trimester by last menstrual period(LMP). Interview for dietary zinc intake and general characteristics of each subjects was given and biochemical analysis of blood and urine was performed. Serum zinc concentration and urinary zinc excretion were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity was analyzed by Bowers & McComb\\`s method with Schimadzu automatic analyser. Also urinary creatinine was analyzed by Hawk\\`s method. Mean intake of zinc was 6.61${\pm}$1.57mg and did not meet the RDA(44.1% of RDA) for pregnant women by gestational age. Zn intake of 3rd trimester was significantly increased but dietary zinc was almost supplied with cereal and grain (47.30%) which were reported with low zinc availability due to phytate. Mean concentration of serum Zn in 1st trimester was 86.4${\pm}$10.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 72.4${\pm}$10.3$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in trimester and 65.1${\pm}$10.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in 3rd trimester and was declined significantly by gestational age during pregnancy. In was concluded that a decline in serum Zn by gestional age was not influenced by amount of Zn intake. However ALP activity and urinary zinc excretion increased significantly by gestational age. Zinc nutritional status of pregnant women was not confirmed yet due to the physiological changes during pregnancy. However, the pregnant woman may be in a marginal zinc deficient status because of low amount of Zn intake and low bioavailability of Zn from dietary sources. (Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 848-856, 2000)

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2004

Marginal Zn deficiency is prevalent through the world and yet human zinc status has not been properly assessed due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic indicator. One potential possibility for zinc status assessment using Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT)-mRNA, has been proposed. The purpose of the present study was aimed to show whether measurement of mononuclear cell (MNC) MT mRNA, using a competitive-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (competitive-RT-PCR) assay, could indicate zinc status in human subjects. In this study, MNC MT-mRNA expression was measured using a competitive-RT-PCR to compare before and after 14 days of zinc supplementation (50 mg Zn/das zinc gluconate). RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers which were designed to amplify both a 278 bp segment of the human MT-2A cDNA and a 198 bp mutant competitor cDNA template from MNCs, were prepared. MT-2A mRNA was normalized by reference to the housekeeping gene, $\beta$-actin, mRNA for which was also measured by competitive-RT-PCR. There was considerable inter-individual variation in MT-mRNA concentration and yet, the mean MT-2A mRNA level increased 4.7-fold after Zn supplementation, as compared to before Zn supplementation. This MT-2A mRNA level was shown as the same pattern and, even more sensitive assay, compared to the conventional plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) Zn assessment in which plasma and RBCs zinc levels increased 2.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively (p<0.05). We suggest that MT competitive-RT-PCR can be a useful assessment tool for evaluating human zinc status.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.439-452
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• 2005

Zinc is ubiquitous in all living cells. Structural and catalytic properties of cellular enzymes are zinc dependent. Zinc deficiency leads to a variety of pathological abnormalities with immune impairment. It is an established fact that nutritional status contributes to overall immune response of individuals. Outcome of zinc deficiency on immune system is so drastic that it is difficult to conceive at the first instance. Zinc supplementation has been advocated to prevent diarrheal disease in children with poor nutritional status. The bioavailability of zinc depends upon its sources. Moreover it varies between monogastrics and ruminants. Controversy still prevails between inorganic and organic sources of zinc with respect to their superiority in bioavailability. Zinc exerts immunostimulatory effects in various laboratory and farm animals. Animals having congenital zinc deficiency diseases like A46 lethal trait usually die due to impairment of the immune system unless treated with zinc. The immune mechanism of zinc and its effect on animals and man are discussed. Zinc has been considered as extremely safe at higher therapeutic doses, but does not provide any beneficial effect but rather may cause immunosuppression. More recently, zinc has been prescribed for immunodeficient hosts, to modulate the immune system so that to a certain extent it can combat against opportunistic pathogens.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine whether a short-tenn zinc supplementation contributes to beneficial changes in glycemic control among type 2 diabetic patients. Seventy-six diabetic subjects and 72 normal adults participated in this study. Subjects were divided into supplemented and control groups. Forty-four diabetic patients and 34 normal subjects were supplemented with 50 mg zinc daily as zinc gluconate for 4 weeks. Zinc status was assessed from fasting plasma levels and urinary excretion. The effects of zinc supplementation on fasting blood glucose, $HbA_{1c}$, insulin, and C-peptide were measured at the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of supplementation. The changes in glycemic control indicators were compared between diabetic groups, classified by baseline $HbA_{1c}$ levels, and by diabetic duration. At baseline, the incidence of marginal zinc deficiency in the diabetic group, as determined by plasma zinc level, was approximately twice as high as in the normal adult group. The changes of $HbA_{1c}$ concentration, and fasting blood glucose following supplementation were not statistically significant in diabetic subjects. In normal subjects, a significant decrease of $HbA_{1c}$ occurred only in the zinc supplemented group. No significant changes were observed for serum insulin and C-peptide in diabetic as well as normal subjects. However, when the changes were compared by baseline $HbA_{1c}$ level, we found that diabetic subjects with $HbA_{1c}\;{\geq}\;7.5%$ showed significantly improved levels of $HbA_{1c}$ and fasting glucose after Zn supplementation. While such improvement in fasting blood glucose was significant among diabetics with shorter diabetic duration, significant levels of increase in serum insulin and C-peptide were observed in zinc supplemented subjects with longer diabetic duration. Fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased, whereas serum insulin and C-peptide were increased in diabetics with marginal zinc status. Therefore, we suggest that Zn supplementation for a short-term period may improve glycemic control in diabetic patients with higher $HbA_{1c}$ levels and marginal zinc status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.950-959
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• 2003

To assess zinc status by dietary intake and urinary excretion of preschool children in Busan and to evaluate the relationship of intakes of food and nutrient with urinary zinc excretion, zinc food frequencies of 40 common foods affecting intakes of zinc by food fequency method, nutrient intake by 24hr recall and 24hr urinary zinc excretion were measured with 97 preschool children. The mean zinc intake was 4.29 mg and 43.0% of RDA. The mean zinc intake per 1,000 kcal was 3.09 mg.97.9％ of subjects had zinc intake less than 75％ of RDA. Grains food group was the primary source of zinc intake and supplied 38.9% of the total daily zinc intake. Altogether, plant food products supplied 49.7% of zinc intake. The mean urinary zinc excretion and zinc excretion per gram of creatinine were 0.19 mg and 1.00 mg respectively. The urinary zinc excretion showed positive significant correlations with height and weight (p < 0.05, p < 0.05) , urine volume and urinary creatinine excretion (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) , urinary zinc excretion per creatinine (p < 0.001) , urinary zinc excretion per weight (p < 0.001) , intakes of energy and carbohydrate (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and usual intake of zinc from eggs food group (p < 0.05) . In conclusion, these results show that the zinc intake of preschool children is low and that sources of dietary zinc are mainly plant foods, suggesting low bioavailability. So nutritional education is needed in order to inc-rease usual intake of animal food group. Interpretation of urinary zinc excretion data is complicated by current uncertainty about "normal" zinc level at this age group. Further studies are needed to obtain extensive data on urinary zinc excretion for this age group.age group.