Effect of omeprazole on plasma zinc levels after oral zinc administration.
BACKGROUND
The intestines are the major site of zinc absorption and excretion. Reduced gastric acid secretion and elevated gastric pH is an important factor affecting intestinal mineral absorption.


METHODS
Gastric pH and volume, and basal and maximal acid outputs were measured in 14 healthy volunteers. Plasma zinc levels were then measured at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after oral administration of 300 mg zinc sulfate. The experiment was repeated after omeprazole administration (60 mg/day orally) for 7 days.


RESULTS
Omeprazole administration significantly increased fasting gastric pH (5.5 versus 2.4; p < 0.001). Mean basal gastric acid output (1.6 vs 8.0 mEq/h; p < 0.001) and maximal acid output (20.6 vs 106.6 mEq/h; p < 0.001) decreased after omeprazole administration. Zinc absorption decreased after omeprazole administration (141 [34] mg/dL/h) compared with pre-omeprazole values (245 [35]; p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Suppression of gastric acid secretion by omeprazole reduces intestinal absorption of zinc.
Ozutemiz
A Omer
AO
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova TR-35100, Izmir, Turkey. ozutemiz@med.ege.edu.tr
Aydin
H Hakan
HH
Isler
Mehmet
M
Celik
Handan Ak
HA
Batur
Yucel
Y
D000126:Achlorhydria / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D015032:Zinc; D009853:Omeprazole