Factors influencing zinc status of apparently healthy indians.
OBJECTIVE
To identify dietary, environmental and socio-economic factors associated with mild zinc deficiency, three zinc status indices; erythrocyte membrane zinc (RBCMZn), plasma zinc and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in free living and apparently healthy Indian population.


METHODS
Dietary patterns of 232 men and 223 women (20-65 yr) from rural, industrial and urban regions of Western India were evaluated by food frequency questionnaire. RBCMZn was estimated using atomic absorption spectrometry, hemoglobin and serum ceruloplasmin by spectrophotometer. On a sub sample (48 men and 51 women) plasma zinc and SOD were also assessed.


RESULTS
Mean RBCMZn was 0.5 +/- 0.1 micromols/g protein with 46% individuals showing zinc deficiency. Mean plasma zinc was 0.98 +/- 0.12 microg/mL with 25% men and 2.5% women having values below normal range. Mean SOD was 0.97 +/- 0.1 (u/mL cells). A significant positive correlation was observed between intakes of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and milk products with RBCMZn status (p < 0.05). But these were not correlated with plasma zinc (p > 0.2). Cereal and legume intakes were negatively correlated with RBCMZn (p < 0.05) but positively correlated with plasma zinc (p < 0.05) and not correlated with SOD (p > 0.2). Fruit and other vegetable intake were positively correlated with SOD (p < 0.05) alone. Logistic regression analyses revealed that RBCMZn was positively associated with intakes of beta-carotene, zinc and environmental conditions and negatively associated with family size (p < 0.05). Plasma zinc indicated positive association with zinc, thiamin and riboflavin intakes (p < 0.05) and SOD showed negative association with iron and family size.


CONCLUSIONS
RBCMZn was a more sensitive indicator of long-term zinc status than plasma zinc and SOD. Prominent determinants of zinc status were intakes of beta-carotene and zinc along with environmental conditions and family size.
Agte
Vaishali V
VV
Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India. vaishaliagte@hotmail.com
Chiplonkar
Shashi A
SA
Tarwadi
Kirtan V
KV
D000328:Adult; D003611:Dairy Products; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D019207:beta Carotene; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc