Zinc and Copper Levels in Severe Heart Failure and the Effects of Atrial Fibrillation on the Zinc and Copper Status

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF). Some trace elements serve as antioxidant defenses. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in patients with advanced CHF. In this prospective study, serum Zn and Cu levels in 78 patients with clinically advanced CHF, i.e., New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV (40 patients with AF and 38 in sinus rhythm) were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All patients also had a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of <35%. We recruited 40 volunteers with nearly the same age and weight as control. They had normal EF. There was no significant difference between patients with AF and those with sinus rhythm regarding serum Zn and Cu levels. However, both groups showed significant hypozincemia (p < 0.000) and a decreased Zn/Cu ratio (p < 0.03) compared with control group. Serum Cu levels were similar in the two groups and did not differ significantly from the control group. In patients with advanced CHF, irrespective of the rhythm, profound hypozincemia, and a decreased Zn/Cu ratio were present, which could be secondary to the activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and CHF medications. The results suggest the need for more studies focusing on possible benefits with Zn nutriceutical replacement in patients with advanced CHF.     

Serum Zinc,Copper, and Zinc/Copper in Healthy Residents of Jinan

Sera of 890 healthy Jinan residents were chosen randomly, and the concentrations of serum Zn and Cu were detected by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were 1.32 ± 0.49 mg/l, 0.99 ± 0.26 mg/l, and 1.41 ± 0.56, respectively. Significantly higher levels of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower serum Cu were found in the men. Descending tendency of serum Zn and Zn/Cu was observed with social-economic status and age but not significant. Alcohol consumption produced higher level of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower Cu concentration. Smoking caused significant lower level in serum Cu concentration but no significance in serum Zn and Zn/Cu. Serum Zn and Zn/Cu were normal only when hours of sleep a night were kept within 7–9 h. Higher level of serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were observed in individuals with regular physical exercise, but still no significant difference existed. No clear relationship between educational levels with serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu was observed.     

Association Between Hypertension in Healthy Participants and Zinc and Copper Status: a Population-Based Study

Biological Trace Element Research - The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is increasing globally. It has been shown that there is an association between micronutrient deficiency and HTN. In the...     

小麦锌营养状况对锌吸收的影响

不论锌的供给形态是无视态(ZnSO_4),还是螯合态(ZnEDTA 或 Zn—PS),小麦锌吸收率均随供锌浓度的提高而增加。缺锌小麦锌吸收率明显高于对照。供ZnEDTA的小麦锌吸收率低于供ZnSO_4和 Zn—PS的小麦。无机态Zn~(24)在根自由空间内累积多,而 ZnEDTA态锌在根自由空间中累积少,缺锌小麦根分泌的有机物质对前者活化量大于后者、被植物吸收利用的数量也就高于后者。     

An Ecological Risk Assessment of Air Emissions of Trace Metals from Copper and Zinc Production Facilities

Trace metals are components of releases to air emitted by copper and zinc production facilities in Canada. Six metals (copper, zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium, and arsenic) are examined as part of an overall environmental assessment of these releases. Estimates of metal deposition rates to soils and surface waters were derived from monitoring data in the vicinity of the production facilities and also through dispersion modelling studies. Fate and transport modelling of the metals deposited allowed an estimation of critical loads. Estimated annual deposition rates were compared with 25^th-percentile critical loads typically representative of effects on sensitive organisms under 25% of conditions in sandy soils or circumneutral to acidic lake waters. The results of the comparison suggest that there is a potential for adverse effects on aquatic and/or soil-dwelling organisms from exposure to steadystate concentrations of metals in the vicinity of copper and zinc production facilities. Approaches of particular significance in these assessments include probabilistic estimation of critical loads for metals, allowance for the speciation of metals defining the bioavailable fraction and limiting critical effect levels to the high end of natural background metal concentrations.     

Copper,Zinc and Molybdenum in Goat Liver

The concentrations of copper, zinc and molybdenum were measured in the liver of goats from western and south-eastern Norway. The mean copper concentrations in the liver of goats from these two districts were 23±19 µg Cu/g and 59±31 µg Cu/g wet weight, respectively. As for zinc and molybdenum, no difference was found between the two groups of animals. No correlations were detected between copper and zinc, zinc and molybdenum, or copper and molybdenum. The copper levels in Norwegian goat liver are considerably lower than in sheep liver, and the ranges are significantly more narrow. The concentrations of molybdenum in goat liver are at the same levels as in sheep and swine, while the levels of zinc are somewhat lower.     

Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Human Preterm Milk

Zinc and copper are important trace elements in the nutrition of preterm infants. This study determined and compared the concentrations of zinc and copper in preterm milk of mothers receiving and not receiving zinc supplementation diets. The effects of maternal supplementation on the blood levels and anthropometric parameters were evaluated. Thirty-eight mothers and their preterm infants were enrolled in the study. Eighteen mothers were given a daily supplementation of 50 mg zinc, whereas the other 20 were not. Zinc and copper levels in milk were determined at 15-day intervals, as were blood zinc levels along with anthropometric parameters. Zinc and copper contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found between groups either for zinc values in maternal milk and infant blood or for anthropometric measurements. A pronounced decrease in copper levels was observed in mothers receiving supplemental zinc. Zinc supplementation given to mothers who were breastfeeding preterm infants had no significant effect on zinc secretion in milk.     

Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Changes in the copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations have been reported previously in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ISCMP). Due to controversial results, the aims of this study were to compare levels of Cu, Zn, and Zn/Cu ratio of ISCMP patients with healthy volunteers and also to investigate the possible relationship between trace elements status in ISCMP patients with the severity of clinical disease based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. The subjects of this study consisted of 30 ISCMP and 27 healthy volunteers. ISCMP was diagnosed with a history of previous myocardial infarction and also coronary artery disease was confirmed by coronary angiography. Exclusion criteria were renal or hepatic insufficiency, alcohol usage, and intake of supplements containing Cu or Zn within 1 week. Cu and Zn levels have been assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 10 software using independent sample t test for comparing the levels of Cu and Zn between ISCMP and normal subjects. The mean Cu level of the ISCMP group (1.54 ± 0.52 mg/L) was significantly more than the Cu levels of the healthy volunteers (1.31 ± 0.24 mg/L; p = 0.048). The mean Zn levels of the ISCMP and healthy volunteers were 1.05 ± 0.28 and 1.12 ± 0.42, respectively, without any significant difference between groups. There was a trend for higher Cu level, lower Zn level, and lower Zn/Cu ratio in NYHA III patients in comparison with NYHA II group. Considering the results of this study, Cu may have a role in the development of ISCMP. Interventions such as administration of Cu chelators to relieve the symptoms or to decrease the progression of ISCMP is needed to be examined in large clinical trials. In this study, the Zn level of ISCMP patients was not significantly different in comparison with the healthy volunteers.     

Serum Concentration of Copper,Zinc, Iron,and Cobalt and the Copper/Zinc Ratio in Horses with Equine Herpesvirus-1

The serum concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt and copper/zinc ratio were investigated in horses infected with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Nine horses were naturally infected with the virus and nine healthy horses served as controls. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt were determined spectrophotometrically in the blood serum of all horses. The results were (expressed in micrograms per deciliters) copper 2.80 ± 0.34 vs 1.12 ± 0.44, zinc 3.05 ± 0.18 vs 0.83 ± 0.06, iron 2.76 ± 0.17 vs 3.71 ± 0.69, cobalt 0.19 ± 0.37 vs 0.22 ± 0.45, and copper/zinc ratio 0.72 ± 0.38 vs 1.41 ± 0.36 for control vs infected group, respectively. In conclusion, copper and zinc concentrations of the infected group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001), whereas iron concentration and the copper/zinc ratio of the infected group were higher than the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). The cobalt concentration was not found to be statistically different between two groups. It might be emphasized that copper/zinc ratio was significantly affected by the EHV-1 infection, so it could be taken into consideration during the course of infection. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Plasma Levels of Zinc,Copper, Copper/Zinc Ratio,and Activity of Carbonic Anhydrase in Equine Piroplasmosis

We have determined the plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, copper/zinc ratio, and carbonic anhydrase activity in horses infected with Babesia equi. The study was conducted in 14 horses with the disease and 10 healthy animals that served as controls. The infection was confirmed by the clinical manifestations of the disease and by Giemsa staining of thin blood smears showing the parasites inside red blood cells. The horses with piroplasmosis had lower plasma levels of zinc, elevated copper, and increased activity of carbonic anhydrase. Consequently, the copper/zinc ratio was also higher than in the healthy controls.     

Copper, Iron, and Zinc Status in Children with Moderate and Severe Acute Malnutrition Recovered Following WHO Protocols

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of copper, iron, and zinc deficiencies in malnutrition and the amounts of micronutrients that should be provided for nutritional recovery are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to measure (1) the frequency of Cu, Fe, and Zn deficiencies in children with acute malnutrition on day 1 and after 15- and 30-day treatments with F100 plus vitamins/minerals mix, and (2) anthropometric recovery after 30 d feeding ad libitum. METHODS: In Cochabamba, Bolivia, 12 hospitalized children with severe acute malnutrition (HSM) and 17 (hospitalized) with moderate acute malnutrition (HMM), 3-33 months, received F100 ad libitum for 1 month. Children received FeSO4 after infection subsided. On days 1, 15, and 30 weight, length, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, iron, copper, zinc, and ceruloplasmin were measured. Comparison group were 17 ambulatory moderately malnourished (AMM) and 34 well-nourished children, measured once. RESULTS: Deficiencies were highly prevalent in hospitalized groups. Serum copper and zinc became normal on D15 and D30, respectively. Mean daily energy intake of 160 kcal and 4 g prot//kg/d/1 mo led children to gain (mean) 5 g/kg/day, both on D15 and D30. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient deficiencies were highly prevalent in HSM and HMM and recovered similarly. Application of WHO protocols induced satisfactory copper status recovery, but improvement of zinc was slower.     

Zinc and Selenium Nutritional Status in Vegetarians

A vegetarian diet may have beneficial effects on human health, however when it is not well-balanced may be deficient in some nutrients, as minerals for example. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status of zinc and selenium in vegetarians in the city of São Paulo. A cross-sectional study was performed, and the inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, both gender, no use of food or pharmaceutical supplements. Thirty vegetarian, of both genders, mean age of 27 years and 4,5 years of vegetarianism had performed the study, and their mean BMI was 21,5. Zinc plasma concentration was 71 and 62,5 μg/dL for men and women and erythrocyte concentration was 37 μg/gHb for both genders. Selenium concentration was 73,5 and 77,3 μg/L in plasma and 51,4 and 66,9 μg/L in erythrocytes for men and women, respectively. These biochemical values show that, according to the references, selenium blood levels are adequate and zinc concentration in erythrocytes is deficient in the studied population. For this reason, vegetarians should be constantly assessed and receive nutritional support to reduce the effects of inadequate zinc status.     

Active Uptake of Copper and Zinc during Haemodialysis

The uptake of copper and zinc by patients undergoing regular haemodialysis has been assessed by measuring the dialysis fluid for copper and zinc concentration, and the blood entering and leaving the dialysis coil for red cell copper, plasma free copper, and plasma zinc levels during priming of the coil and subsequent haemodialysis, and by in-vitro studies.Red cells avidly removed copper from dialysis fluid when mixed with saline during priming, but did not take up copper during the haemodialysis. At both these stages plasma actively took up both copper and zinc from dialysis fluid, even against a concentration gradient, so that loss of these metals from plasma to dialysis fluid did not occur.In the dialysis systems investigated the sources of the copper in the dialysis fluid were the copper plumbing of the tap-water and the dialysis coil, and the major source of zinc was the zinc oxide of the adhesive plaster around the dialysis coil.     

Assessment of Zinc Status in School-Age Children from Rural Areas in China Nutrition and Health Survey 2002 and 2012

Zinc is an essential trace element for growth and development in children, but zinc deficiency is a serious nutritional problem worldwide. Our study aimed to assess the zinc status of school-age children living in rural areas of China and to examine the change of zinc status based on the China Nutrition and Health Survey 2002 and 2012. We used the probability proportional to size sampling method for subject selection, and a total of 3407 school-age children were included in this study. Zinc status was assessed by three items of indicators recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG). The concentration of serum zinc was 718.2 μg/L, and 44.4% of children being zinc deficiency in 2002, while 846.8 μg/L and 10.4% in 2012. Zinc intake was 7.8 mg/day with a 7.6% inadequate zinc intake in 2002, together with 6.9 mg/day and 38.2% in 2012. Height-for-age Z score was ?1.06 and 19.1% of children being stunting in 2002, as well as ?0.15 and 6.8% in 2012. In conclusion, the zinc status of school-age children living in rural areas of China has been significantly improved in addition to zinc intake over the past 10 years. However, the zinc deficiency still observed in poor rural areas of China in 2012. In addition, we suggested that the zinc bioavailability should be taken into account when assessing zinc status in population.     

Natural and Experimentally-induced Zinc and Copper Resistance in the Lichen Genus Peltigera

Using a tolerance index based on metal-induced reductions inphotosynthesis, members of the lichen genus Peltigera, sampledfrom a range of sites with contrasting metal status, were demonstratedto possess Zn tolerance directly proportional to the Zn contentof the thallus. Tolerance was not related to the concentrationof other cations present in the thallus or weight of thallusper unit surface area. Although differences in Cu tolerancewere found, these were not related to the Cu content of thethallus but rather to the Zn content. In the laboratory, pretreatmentof P. membranacea with low concentrations of Zn significantlydecreased the inhibition of photosynthesis caused when subsequentlysupplied with high levels of Zn compared to water pretreatedplants. Increased resistance to Cd but not Cu was also found,although it was not possible to increase either Cu or Zn resistanceby pretreatment with Cu. Peltigera membranacea, lichen, heavy metal tolerance, zinc, copper, cadmium     

Effect of Allopurinol on the Hepatic and Cerebellar Iron,Selenium, Zinc and Copper Status Following Acute Ethanol Administration to Rats

An acute ethanol load (50mmol/kg, i.p.) induces an increase in the total non-heme iron and in the low-molecular-weight non-heme iron complexes (LMW-Fe) content both in liver and cerebellum. This increase in LMW-Fe is associated with a decrease in some essential trace elements (selenium, zinc, copper) playing a role in the anti-oxidant system. These changes could contribute to the enhancement in lipid peroxidation which occurs at the hepatic and cerebellar level following the ethanol administration.

The administration of allopurinol prior to the ethanol load prevents the changes in non-heme iron and trace elements. This prevention may contribute to the protective effects of allopurinol on the ethanol-induced oxidative stress.     

Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Biological Trace Element Research - The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in relation with metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features...