BACKGROUND Food fortification has been recommended to improve a population's micronutrient status. Biofortification techniques modestly elevate the zinc content of cereals, but few studies have reported a positive impact on functional indicators of zinc status. OBJECTIVE We determined the impact of a modest increase in dietary zinc that was similar to that provided by biofortification program...

By measuring the distribution of conduction velocities (DCV) in sensory fibres of the median nerve, the effects of asymptomatic increased lead, zinc, and copper absorption on the conduction velocities of slower and faster nerve fibres were examined in 29 gun metal founders with blood lead (BPb) concentrations of 22-59 (mean 39) micrograms/dl (1.1-2.8 (mean 1.9) mumol/l). The results indicated t...

Bismuth and zinc co-doped Y2O3 samples are synthesized by sol-gel method using ammonium hydroxide as a precipitating agent. Structural analysis is done by XRD, SEMEDAX and the optical properties are analysed by FTIR, UV-Vis absorption studies and photoluminescence (PL) studies. UV-Vis absorption studies show absorption only around 340 nm whereas PL shows peaks around 401 nm, 680 nm and 1020 nm ...

Zinc concentrations in CSF were determined with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in patients assumed to have a normal CSF. No sex difference was found. There was a correlation between zinc, protein and albumin concentrations in CSF. In patients with increased protein levels in CSF or subarachnoid haemorrhage increased zinc concentrations were found.

Zinc concentrations in aqueous humour and serum were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 11 patients with cataract. The zinc content of the aqueous humour was found to be considerably lower than the corresponding serum values. From this finding it is suggested that aqueous humour does not serve as a likely route of delivery of zinc to the cornea.

BACKGROUND Adjustments in zinc absorption and endogenous excretion maintain zinc homeostasis in nonpregnant adults fed low-zinc diets. The effects on zinc homeostasis of a low zinc intake during pregnancy and lactation have not been described in a longitudinal study. OBJECTIVE We examined longitudinal changes in fractional zinc absorption (FZA) and zinc kinetics in 10 healthy Brazilian women ...

Hypothyroidism is a common and well recognized cause of diffuse hair loss. Zinc and other trace elements such as copper and selenium are required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and deficiency of these can result in hypothyroidism. Conversely, thyroid hormones are essential for the absorption of zinc, and hence hypothyroidism can result in acquired zinc deficiency. The hair loss attribut...

The oral bioavailability of zinc was studied in nonpregnant adults before and 24 hours after two weeks of oral supplementation with iron and folic acid. Bioavailability was greatly reduced, and the shape of the plasma curves suggested that this was due to impairment of the intestinal absorption of zinc. The findings suggest that the reduced bioavailability of zinc occurs because of interelement...