Turnover of 65Zn and 82Sr in growing rats. A comparative investigation

Zinc improves Denosumab and eldecalcitol efficacy for bone mineral density in patients with hypozincemia

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the effects of zinc deficiency and zinc medication in osteoporosis patients undergoing denosumab (DMAb).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at a single hospital. The participants were female osteoporosis patients visiting between April 2019 and April 2020. All patients were treated with DMAb and eldecalcitol and recommended zinc-rich food. Based on zinc medication and serum zinc levels at the 12th month of dietary guidance, patients were categorized into the following four groups: hypozincemia with zinc medication, latent zinc deficiency with zinc medication, without zinc medication, and control without zinc medication. Longitudinal serum zinc concentrations, bone mineral density (BMD), and occurrence of fractures were measured. We investigated the factors influencing no response to DMAb and eldecalcitol treatment.

RESULTS

Among the 145 patients followed up for 24 months, dietary guidance did not change the serum zinc concentration; however, zinc medication significantly increased these levels. The hypozincemia group did not show a significant BMD increase in the lumbar spine and femoral neck after DMAb and eldecalcitol treatment during dietary guidance; however, zinc medication increased these to the same levels as the other groups. In multivariate analyses, hypozincemia and thyroid disease were identified as the factors affecting no response. While 28.2% of patients with latent zinc deficiency without zinc medication suffered fractures, no fractures occurred in hypozincemia patients with zinc medication.

CONCLUSION

Hypozincemia may reduce the efficacy of DMAb and eldecalcitol in increasing BMD and fracture prevention.

Differences in zinc status between patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

Zinc has been suggested to play an important role in the development of osteoporosis, whereas the influence of zinc on osteoarthritis has attracted much less attention. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the zinc status and bone turnover, density, and biomechanical properties of osteoarthritic and osteoporotic patients. The study comprised 40 women who underwent hip replacement due to osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. Serum and urine zinc content, and bone resorption markers and serum bone formation markers were determined. The unaffected hip and the exarticulated affected femoral head underwent DEXA scanning. Bone biopsies were obtained from the femoral heads and the biomechanical properties were determined. The biopsies were ashed and the bone zinc content was ascertained. Osteoarthritic patients had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations and lower urine zinc concentrations than osteoporotic patients, whereas the bone zinc content did not differ. The zinc status was not found to be a predictor for the bone strength. In conclusion, the finding that the zinc status of osteoporotic patients is significantly different from that of osteoartritic patients is new and supports the view that osteoporosis and osteoarthritis rarely occur in the same individual.

Zinc resorption from zinc-tape during wound healing. An experimental study in rats

In the rat zinc is resorbed from excisional wounds treated with adhesive zinc-tape. High levels of zinc compared to those in gauze-treated controls were found in serum, granulation tissue and pancreas. An increase of serum copper was also found during the process of wound healing, but increase in serum copper was probably due to an elevation of ceruloplasmin in serum.