Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
Published on: May 16, 2019
Zinc deficiency: a contributing factor of short stature in growth hormone deficient children
Zeynep Siklar1, Ceyda Tuna, Yildiz Dallar
1Ministry of Health Ankara Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Turkey. zeynepsklr@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Zinc is an essential trace element which affects growth by promoting DNA and RNA synthesis and cell division. Zinc deficiency causes growth retardation and its frequency is high in developing countries. It could contribute to the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment in GH deficient children. In this study, we investigated zinc deficiency in GH children. Twenty-four GH deficient children (treated with GH for 2.2 +/- 1.6 years) were recruited for the study. Intracellular erythrocyte zinc levels were measured. Eleven (45.9 per cent) were found to be zinc deficient (Group 1), while 13 patients (54.1 per cent) had normal zinc levels (Group 2). The mean growth velocity was 5.98 +/- 0.8 cm/year in Group 1 and 6.9 +/- 1.4 cm/year in Group 2. Group 2 was given oral zinc supplementation with a resultant growth velocity of 7.51 +/- 0.5 cm/year. During GH treatment in GH deficient children, zinc status should be evaluated as severe zinc deficiency could affect the response to GH treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Nature and Nurture
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Sex-linked Disorders
Polygenic Traits
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...