Certain aspects of zinc metabolism in man

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1974 · Physiologist; (United States)

OSTI ID:7196850

Spencer, H; Osis, D; Wiatrovski, E; Coffey, J

Zinc, an essential trace element, has been shown to be an important growth factor in man and to promote wound healing. In order to delineate the metabolism of zinc in man, metabolic balances of zinc were determined under strictly controlled dietary conditions by analyzing the dietary zinc intake and the excretions in each 6-day metabolic period. Zinc in the diet, urine, stool, and plasma was analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. On a 12-14 mg dietary zinc intake per day, zinc is excreted mainly via the intestine. The urinary zinc excretion is low, about 0.5 mg/day, and the zinc balance is in equilibrium. Raising the dietary zinc intake to 22 mg/day or lowering it to 7 mg/day did not alter the metabolism of zinc. Loss of weight induced by dietary restriction or by total starvation markedly increased the urinary zinc excretion and resulted in a zinc loss of 10-15 percent of the total body stores of zinc. This marked loss of zinc was not associated with a decrease of the plasma levels of zinc and there was actually an increase of these levels. The studies indicate that during adequate nutrition the zinc balance is in equilibrium while catabolic states are associated with a loss of zinc which is not reflected by the plasma levels of zinc. (auth)

• Research Organization: VA Hospital, Rines, IL
• OSTI ID: 7196850
• Journal Information: Physiologist; (United States), Vol. 17:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
WOUNDS
HEALING
ZINC
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
EXCRETION
INGESTION
MAN
NUTRITION
URINE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY FLUIDS
CLEARANCE
ELEMENTS
INJURIES
INTAKE
MAMMALS
METALS
PRIMATES
RECOVERY
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
550500* - Metabolism