Zinc deficiency consequences

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is teratogenic in rats, and fetal skeletal defects are prominent. Embryofetal zinc deficiency secondary to changes induced by substances in maternal Zn metabolism is a well-established mechanism for developmental toxicity (29-31). Several substances, including urethane and alpha-hederin cause similar malformations as Zn deficiency in rodents. A number of mechanistic studies have shown that these substances act via an acute-phase reaction induction of metallothionein in the maternal liver which binds systemically available Zn in the pregnant animal. This results in a systemic redistribution of Zn. As a consequence the substances produce a transient but developmentally adverse Zn deficiency in the... 

Wacker, W. E. C. Nucleic acids and metals III. Changes in nucleic acid, protein, and metal content as a consequence of zinc deficiency in E. gracilis. Biochemistry 1, 859 (1962). 

Care should be taken in automatically attributing low plasma-zinc values to zinc deficiency. As with calcium a major proportion of plasma zinc is attached to albumin and a reduction in plasma albumin will cause a reduction in total zinc values. In chronic diseases total zinc and albumin show a close relationship [44] and it is perhaps for these reasons that so many diseases are found to be associated with a reduced total plasma zinc. At present it is not clear which is the most important fraction of plasma zinc and consequently it is not justifiable to make any correction for protein alteration as has been suggested for calcium. 

In hypogonadal dwarfism, reported by Prasad et al. [47], adolescents in Iran and Egypt became zinc-deficient in consequence of high phytate content in the diet making zinc unavailable for absorption. This disease results in dwarfism, retarded sexual maturation, iron deficiency anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly. 

Consequences of Zinc Deficiency in Developing Countries Evidence Derived from Zinc Supplementation Trials... 

Figure 1 Several consequences of maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy on maternal health, fetal development, and infant health have been observed in developing and more industrialized countries. These consequences have been confirmed by randomized, placebo-controlled trials of maternal zinc supplementation. Not all of the consequences have been observed in all studies, and the reasons for inconsistent results among studies are not well understood. Determined from studies in industrialized countries only.

Formation of strictures, abscesses, fistulae, and obstructions in patients with CD is possible. Patients with CD may develop significant weight loss or nutritional deficiencies secondary to malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine, or as a consequence of multiple small- or large-bowel resections. Common nutritional deficiencies encountered in IBD include vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, zinc, folate, and iron. Malabsorption in children with CD may contribute to significant reductions in growth and development. 

In general, simple dialkylzinc and diarylzinc compounds are monomers in which the zinc atom, as a consequence of its ground-state electronic configuration, is sp hybridized. Thus, such molecules contain a linear C—Zn—C arrangement. The only known exception to this rule is diphenylzinc, which in the solid state is a dimer formed via electron-deficient /r -bridging phenyl groups. 

Cadmium is chemically similar to the metal zinc, and is absorbed from the gut in a similar way using the same system. It can interfere with zinc in the body and consequently may affect the male reproductive system where zinc is important. Cadmium interferes with the metabolism of calcium too, a critical mineral in the body with which it also has similarities. This interference leads to loss of calcium from the bones which then become brittle (osteomalacia). In the case of itai-itai disease, which was the result of cadmium poisoning in Japan, the exposure to cadmium was accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin D which made the problems with the bones worse. 

The importance of the minerals and the consequences of their deficiency are well known [28], The mineral contents of Chinese, European, and Japanese chestnuts are listed in Table 11.2 [22], European chestnut has the highest potassium content compared to Chinese and Japanese chestnuts. Magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese contents are higher in Chinese chestnut than in European and Japanese chestnuts. On the other hand, Japanese chestnut contains the highest amounts of calcium, iron, sodium, zinc, and copper contents among these three varieties. The minimum and maximum percentages of recommended dietary allowances (RDA) or adequate intake (Al) of these minerals obtained by... 

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