Development of a dietary model for the study of mild zinc deficiency in humans and evaluation of some biochemical and functional indices of zinc status.
After a 1-wk baseline period, a dietary regimen was developed to induce mild zinc deficiency in 15 males (aged 25.3 +/- 3.3 y, mean +/- SD). The regimen consisted of 1 wk on a liquid diet containing 0.6 mg Zn/d and molar ratios of phytate to zinc (phy:Zn) and of phytate X calcium to zinc [(phy X Ca): Zn] of 209 and 4116, respectively, followed by 6 wk on a diet based on soy protein and egg albumin containing 4 mg Zn/d and with phy:Zn and (Ca X phy):Zn of 70 and 2000, respectively. Subjects were then repleted with 30 mg Zn/d for 2 wk. Fasting blood and urine samples were taken weekly. Changes were observed in mean plasma (mumol/L) and urinary zinc (mumol/d): baseline 97.0 +/- 10.9 and 8.0 +/- 2.7, depletion 80.1 +/- 13.4 and 4.3 +/- 2.3, and repletion 100.8 +/- 13.6 and 8.2 +/- 3.1, respectively (P less than 0.05); taste acuity (0.05 less than P less than 0.10); and cellular immune responses (P less than 0.05). Activities of plasma angiotensin-1-converting enzyme and acidic alpha-D-mannosidase were unchanged. Mild zinc deficiency was induced by the dietary regimen.
Ruz
M
M
Division of Applied Human Nutrition, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Cavan
K R
KR
Bettger
W J
WJ
Thompson
L
L
Berry
M
M
Gibson
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013649:Taste; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine
D015032:Zinc