Serum zinc levels in healthy subjects from southeastern Spain

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 51 - 60
• Main Authors: Martín-Lagos, F, Navarro-Alarcón, M, Terrés-Martos, C, López-García de la Serrana, H, López-Martínez, M C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01-01-1998
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Analytical chemistry; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Cohort Studies; Control boards; Dietary intake; Female; Heavy metals; Humans; Male; Men; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Reference Values; Serum; Sex Factors; Spain; Spectral analysis; Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Standard deviation; Statistical analysis; Trace metals; Zinc; Zinc - blood; Spain
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02784040

The serum zinc (Zn) concentrations of 80 healthy subjects (48 male, 32 female) from southeastern Spain were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were digested by heating in a 4:1 mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. The concentration of Zn was determined against a Contox Trace Metal Serum Control Panel A standard reference. Zn concentrations in the standard were found to be 2.332+/-0.489 mg/L, with a mean recovery of 102.7%. In the serum samples, the relative standard deviation was <6% for the range of concentrations determined: 0.420-1.540 mg/L for women (mean value 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L) and 0.490-1.480 mg/L for men (mean value 0.951+/-0.243 mg/L). In healthy subjects, no statistically significant differences were observed in the Zn levels with respect to their sex (p > 0.05) or the location where they lived (mountainous vs coastal zones). It is concluded that the dietary Zn intake and Zn status for healthy adults in this region of Spain are within normal values.