The effect of zinc deprivation on protein energy and zinc metabolism in man

• Main Author: Thomas, Louise
• Published: University of Aberdeen 1996
• Subjects: 572; Dietary zinc deficiency
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245359

Dietary zinc deficiency was induced in four healthy male volunteers. The diet used was high in phytate (phytate:zinc molar ratio 381) and the depletion period was preceded by a 3 day starvation period. In the depletion period, there was a significant decrease in plasma zinc and urinary zinc excretion. The subjects also adapted to the low zinc intake by decreasing the faecal excretion of zinc. One subject (No.2) developed clinical signs of zinc deficiency and also had the lowest plasma zinc concentration at the end of the depletion stage. Whole body protein turnover was assessed by an 8hr primed constant infusion of Li-[1-¹³C]leucine. Zinc deficiency had an effect on whole body protein turnover in only one subject (No. 2). In this subject, there was a decrease in leucine oxidation (71%), protein synthesis (31%) and degradation (39%). In this group as a whole, zinc depletion was associated with a significant decrease in urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine. Zinc deficiency appeared to have no effect on substrate utilization. With regard to zinc kinetics, zinc deficiency was associated with a significant decrease in the size of the plasma zinc pool and a liver pool. There was also a decrease in the flux between these two zinc pools, and an increase in the fractional decay of zinc from the plasma pool to the liver pool. Two further studies were carried out. In 4 volunteers the effect of a 3 day starvation period on whole body protein turnover and zinc kinetics was investigated. There was a significant increase in leucine oxidation and in the size of a liver zinc pool. In 6 volunteers, the effect of phytate on zinc kinetics was investigated. The addition of phytate to the test meal, (phytate:zinc molar ratio 88) was associated with a decrease in the size of a liver zinc pool.