Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status
Zinc (Zn) deficiency is estimated to affect over one billion (17%) of the world’s population. Zn plays a key role in various cellular processes such as differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation, and is used for vital biochemical and structural processes in the body. Widely used biomarkers of Zn...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3399 |
| _version_ | 1797513537515421696 |
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| author | Jacquelyn Cheng Haim Bar Elad Tako |
| author_facet | Jacquelyn Cheng Haim Bar Elad Tako |
| author_sort | Jacquelyn Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zinc (Zn) deficiency is estimated to affect over one billion (17%) of the world’s population. Zn plays a key role in various cellular processes such as differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation, and is used for vital biochemical and structural processes in the body. Widely used biomarkers of Zn status include plasma, whole blood, and urine Zn, which decrease in severe Zn deficiency; however, accurate assessment of Zn status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult, as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. Thus, sensitive and specific biological markers of Zn physiological status are still needed. In this communication, we provide the Zn status index (ZSI) concept, which consists of a three-pillar formula: (1) the LA:DGLA ratio, (2) mRNA gene expression of Zn-related proteins, and (3) gut microbiome profiling to provide a clear assessment of Zn physiological status and degree of Zn deficiency with respect to assessing dietary Zn manipulation. Analysis of five selected studies found that with lower dietary Zn intake, erythrocyte LA:DGLA ratio increased, mRNA gene expression of Zn-related proteins in duodenal and liver tissues was altered, and gut microbiota populations differed, where the ZSI, a statistical model trained on data from these studies, was built to give an accurate estimation of Zn physiological status. However, the ZSI needs to be tested and refined further to determine its full potential. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:17:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2501d1fe3c46486fb18e5cef8ddd1101 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:17:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-2501d1fe3c46486fb18e5cef8ddd11012023-11-22T19:27:55ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-09-011310339910.3390/nu13103399Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological StatusJacquelyn Cheng0Haim Bar1Elad Tako2Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USADepartment of Statistics, University of Connecticut, Philip E. Austin Building, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Food Science, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USAZinc (Zn) deficiency is estimated to affect over one billion (17%) of the world’s population. Zn plays a key role in various cellular processes such as differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation, and is used for vital biochemical and structural processes in the body. Widely used biomarkers of Zn status include plasma, whole blood, and urine Zn, which decrease in severe Zn deficiency; however, accurate assessment of Zn status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult, as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. Thus, sensitive and specific biological markers of Zn physiological status are still needed. In this communication, we provide the Zn status index (ZSI) concept, which consists of a three-pillar formula: (1) the LA:DGLA ratio, (2) mRNA gene expression of Zn-related proteins, and (3) gut microbiome profiling to provide a clear assessment of Zn physiological status and degree of Zn deficiency with respect to assessing dietary Zn manipulation. Analysis of five selected studies found that with lower dietary Zn intake, erythrocyte LA:DGLA ratio increased, mRNA gene expression of Zn-related proteins in duodenal and liver tissues was altered, and gut microbiota populations differed, where the ZSI, a statistical model trained on data from these studies, was built to give an accurate estimation of Zn physiological status. However, the ZSI needs to be tested and refined further to determine its full potential.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3399zinc biomarkermicrobiomeLA:DGLA∆6-desaturasezinc deficiencyzinc transporters |
| spellingShingle | Jacquelyn Cheng Haim Bar Elad Tako Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status Nutrients zinc biomarker microbiome LA:DGLA ∆6-desaturase zinc deficiency zinc transporters |
| title | Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status |
| title_full | Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status |
| title_fullStr | Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status |
| title_short | Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status |
| title_sort | zinc status index zsi for quantification of zinc physiological status |
| topic | zinc biomarker microbiome LA:DGLA ∆6-desaturase zinc deficiency zinc transporters |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3399 |
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