Zinc supplementation reduces plasma cortisol levels in zinc-deficient patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
ASN 30th Annual Meeting, San Antonio
J Am Soc Nephrol (Sep) 8:66A 1997
Low serum levels of zinc is common in ESRD pts and some of the pathophysiologic changes in ESRD may possibly be attributed to zinc deficiency (growth retardation, depression, gonadal dysfunction, anemia and immunologic dysfunction). Recent animal studies suggest that Zn deficiency exerts its action on the immune system and other physiologic processes by stimulating glucocorticoid secretion.
The effect of oral zinc supplementation on cortisol levels in 10 ESRD patients with low serum zinc levels (<56 µg/dl) was investigated. Fifty mg elemental zinc as Zn gluconate was administered orally 3 times per week during 10 weeks. Serum zinc levels increased significantly (50.8 ± 1.6 to 58.6 ± 3.7 µg/dl, p<0.05) and basal plasma cortisol decreased (10.7 ± 1.3 to 6.9 ± 0.6 µg/dl, p<0.02) after 3 months.
Comment: The results are consistent with a link between zinc deficiency and increases in glucocorticoid levels as demonstrated in animal experiments. Measurement of basal cortisol levels is of limited value to elucidate the effect on the ACTH-cortisol axis and further studies are warranted. (Peter F. Barany, M.D., Stockholm, Sweden)
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ASN 30th Annual Meeting, San Antonio
CRF by organ system : Nutrition
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