Zinc Zn (Urine) | 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 low serum zinc concentrations.

How to prepare for the test?

No special preparation is required for the test.

Research material

Spontaneous urination.

Possible interpretation of the results

The association of low serum zinc concentrations with decreased urinary zinc excretion confirms zinc deficiency.

Resources

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