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In vitro exchangeable erythrocytic zinc.
J P Van Wouwe1, M Veldhuizen, J J De Goeij
1Department of Radiochemistry, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Biological Trace Element Research
|April 1, 1990
Summary
This study quantifies exchangeable erythrocytic zinc in healthy individuals using 65Zn uptake. Findings reveal the zinc pool size, exchange half-time, and activation energy under physiological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for numerous cellular functions.
- Erythrocytes play a role in zinc transport and homeostasis.
- Understanding erythrocytic zinc exchange is vital for assessing zinc status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the intracellular exchangeable erythrocytic zinc pool in healthy volunteers.
- To determine the kinetics (half-time, activation energy) of zinc exchange in erythrocytes.
- To investigate factors influencing zinc uptake, including temperature, albumin, carriers, inhibitors, and hormones.
Main Methods:
- Utilized radioactive zinc (65Zn) uptake and release assays.
- Performed measurements under standardized, near-physiological conditions (7.6 µM zinc, 580 µM albumin).
- Assessed the impact of varying temperature, albumin concentration, zinc carriers, transport inhibitors, and stress hormones.
Main Results:
- The intracellular exchangeable erythrocytic zinc pool in healthy volunteers was determined to be 5 µmol zinc/L packed cells.
- The half-time for zinc exchange was found to be 7 hours.
- The activation energy for this exchange process was calculated as 84 kJ/mol.
Conclusions:
- Established a quantitative measure for exchangeable erythrocytic zinc under physiological conditions.
- Provided kinetic parameters for erythrocyte zinc exchange, contributing to understanding zinc metabolism.
- Demonstrated the influence of various factors on erythrocyte zinc uptake, highlighting potential modulators of zinc homeostasis.