Zinc Zn | Laboratory research

Zinc (Zn) It is one of the most common, vital micronutrients in the body, second only to iron. Zinc contains more than 300 metal enzymes, including carbonic anhydrase, alkaline phosphatase, RNA and DNA polymerases, and alcohol dehydrogenase. The main role of zinc in the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids explains the growth retardation and disruption of the wound healing process in zinc deficiency. It is involved in mechanisms related to the regulation of gene expression.

Zinc is stored in bone and muscle tissue; Its mobilization from these depots is difficult even in conditions of zinc deficiency. Its absorption in the intestine increases with decreasing deposits.

Zinc in food is mainly associated with proteins and its bioavailability depends on the digestion of these proteins. Zinc is most readily available in red meat and fish.

Blood plasma contains less than 1% of the total amount of zinc in the body. Most of the plasma zinc is associated with albumin (80%), while the rest is mainly associated with alpha-2-macroglobulin. The zinc content in erythrocytes is about 10 times higher than in plasma.

Zinc is excreted from the body in bile and urine.

Zinc deficiency leads to loss of appetite, growth disorders (skeletal disorders, altered collagen synthesis), alopecia and delayed wound healing; In severe deficiency hypogonadism and dwarfism occur, alleviated by taking zinc supplements; On the other hand, it should be noted that chronic intake of zinc oral preparations inhibits the absorption of copper and may lead to its deficiency.

At the boiling point, zinc evaporates and oxidizes to form zinc oxide vapor. Acute exposure to zinc oxide causes respiratory tract irritation, coughing, chest pain, headache, nausea, fever, and myalgia.

Zinc chloride is another compound that is generated in chemical smoke generators; Inhalation of this corrosive material causes chemical pneumonitis, bronchial and alveolar obstruction, and sometimes, even fatalities.

When should we test for zinc?

• Zinc exposure monitoring;
• Evaluation of possible deficiency in patients with prolonged parenteral nutrition, severe burns or severe chronic diseases.
• Alcoholism;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Anorexia;
• Vegetarian diet;
• Malabsorption syndromes;
• Confirmation of enteropathic acrodermatitis;
• Monitoring of oral zinc intake in Wilson's disease;
• Monitoring of intravenous injection of zinc.

How to prepare for the test?

The test should be performed on an empty stomach.

Research material

Venous blood

Possible interpretation of the results

Zinc concentration decreases: Due to poor absorption in the intestine, insufficient amount of zinc in the diet and excess iron and copper, which prevents the normal absorption of zinc by the body.

Zinc deficiency can develop in patients with severe burns or sepsis. Other diseases that can lead to decreased serum zinc levels are ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, regional enteritis, gluten enteropathy, neoplastic diseases or accelerated catabolic processes due to steroid use.

Conditions such as anorexia and prolonged starvation can also lead to the development of zinc deficiency.

High levels of zinc Causes slight clinical interest.

Resources

https://www.synevo.ro/shop/zinc-in-plasma/
https://www.synevo.bg/tsink/