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Factors underlying abnormal zinc metabolism in uremia
S K Mahajan1, E M Bowersox, D L Rye
1Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan.
Kidney International. Supplement
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Hemodialyzed uremic patients exhibit abnormal zinc metabolism, with increased fecal zinc loss and low plasma zinc levels. This leads to a negative zinc balance, unlike healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Human Nutrition
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Uremia is associated with abnormal zinc metabolism.
- Hemodialysis patients often present with hypozincemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of abnormal zinc metabolism in hemodialyzed uremic patients.
- To determine zinc balance in hemodialyzed patients compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Zinc balance studies were conducted over two weeks in ten hemodialyzed patients and five controls.
- Dietary zinc intake was standardized at 10 mg/day.
- Plasma, urine, stool, and dialysate samples were analyzed for zinc content.
Main Results:
- Hemodialyzed patients had lower plasma zinc (82 vs. 112 µg/dl) and urinary zinc excretion (40 vs. 560 mg/24h).
- Patients showed higher fecal zinc losses (10.2 vs. 8.1 mg/24h) and a negative zinc balance.
- Dialytic zinc losses were minimal.
Conclusions:
- Augmented fecal zinc excretion contributes to negative zinc balance in hemodialyzed uremic patients.
- Hypozincemia in uremia is linked to increased fecal zinc losses.