Zinc concentrations in breast milk are considerably higher than those of the maternal serum, to meet the infant's requirements for normal growth and development. Thus, effective mechanisms ensuring secretion of large amounts of zinc into the milk operate in mammary epithelial cells during lactation. ZnT2 was recently found to play an essential role in the secretion of zinc into milk. Heterozygo...

In this report, we show that zinc is required for endoplasmic reticulum function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Zinc deficiency in this yeast induces the unfolded protein response (UPR), a system normally activated by unfolded ER proteins. Msc2, a member of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family of metal ion transporters, was previously implicated in zinc homeostasis. Our results indicate ...

Zinc deficiency in humans decreases the activity of serum thymulin (a thymic hormone), which is required for maturation of T-helper cells. T-helper 1 (Th(1)) cytokines are decreased but T-helper 2 (Th(2)) cytokines are not affected by zinc deficiency in humans. This shift of Th(1) to Th(2) function results in cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Because IL-2 production (Th(1) cytokine) is decrease...

Zinc sulphate is currently used for treatment of zinc deficiency. Its uptake by the body is poor, necessitating the administration of high doses. This leads to a range of unpleasant side effects. In order to increase the bioavailability of zinc, several zinc complexes have been designed and synthesized using bidentate ligands of hydroxypyranones and hydroxypyridinones. Elemental analysis in eac...

zinc (zn) as a nutritional factor affects the health of the oral tissues. this study was done for the evaluation of the effects of zinc deficiency on the oral tissues of rats. the study was carried out on 14 male wistar rats, cessation of lactation on the 24th day after birth. the rats were randomly divided into two groups. zinc deficient (zd) diet was used for one group and another group was f...

The importance of zinc in normal immune function and of its deficiency in immune dysfunction has led to increased interest in its role in nutrition and immunity in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection. Zinc deficiency produces reversible immune dysfunction, particularly of Tlymphocyte cell-mediated immunity. In developing countries where zinc deficiency is prevalent, zinc supplem...

Zinc supplementation trials in the elderly showed that the incidence of infections was decreased by approximately 66% in the zinc group. Zinc supplementation also decreased oxidative stress biomarkers and decreased inflammatory cytokines in the elderly. In our studies in the experimental model of zinc deficiency in humans, we showed that zinc deficiency per se increased the generation of IL-1β ...

Zinc deficiency is clearly teratogenic in animals (1). The catabolism of maternal tissues during pregnancy, however, seems to protect the fetus from the teratogenic effects of hypozincemia (2). In humans, most evidence suggesting the importance of zinc during pregnancy comes from patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica, an inherited severe zinc deficiency state. These patients have spontaneo...

The immune system (immunoglobulins, cell mediated immunity, phagocytosis complement, lysosomes, interferon, metabolic function, hormones, metabolic and respiratory alkalosis) is the natural mechanism which defends against cancer. Trace elements zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and manganese augment this natural mechanism. Zinc is essential for normal development and maintenance of the thymus. Reduce...