Effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function in healthy middle-aged and older adults: the ZENITH study

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled design was employed to investigate the effects of Zn supplementation on cognitive function in 387 healthy adults aged 55–87 years. Several measures of visual memory, working memory, attention and reaction time were obtained using the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery at baseline and then after 3 and 6 months of 0 (placebo), 15 or 30 mg Zn/d. Younger adults (70 years), and performance improved with practice on some measures. For two out of eight dependent variables, there were significant interactions indicating a beneficial effect (at 3 months only) of both 15 and 30 mg/d on one measure of spatial working memory and a detrimental effect of 15 mg/d on one measure of attention. Further work is required to establish whether these findings generalise to older adults in poorer mental and physical health and with less adequate Zn intake and status than the present sample

Positive and negative mood in the elderly: the ZENITH study

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The immune system and the impact of zinc during aging

The trace element zinc is essential for the immune system, and zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. There are remarkable parallels in the immunological changes during aging and zinc deficiency, including a reduction in the activity of the thymus and thymic hormones, a shift of the T helper cell balance toward T helper type 2 cells, decreased response to vaccination, and impaired functions of innate immune cells. Many studies confirm a decline of zinc levels with age. Most of these studies do not classify the majority of elderly as zinc deficient, but even marginal zinc deprivation can affect immune function. Consequently, oral zinc supplementation demonstrates the potential to improve immunity and efficiently downregulates chronic inflammatory responses in the elderly. These data indicate that a wide prevalence of marginal zinc deficiency in elderly people may contribute to immunosenescence

Elemento para la determinación de nitrato

Número de publicación: 2 259 541 Número de solicitud: 200500199Elemento para la determinación de nitrato en diversos problemas que no exige tratamiento de la muestra o bien que este es mínimo y permite una determinación simple y económica. El elemento se basa en el empleo de receptores sintéticos para nitrato y la señal óptica se consigue mediante el acoplamiento en la membrana sensora hidrófoba de un indicador ácido-base lipotilizado. La medida u observación del cambio de color de rojo a azul dependiendo de la cantidad de nitrato en el problema permite su determinación en un amplio rango de concentraciones con buena precisión y selectividad frente a aniones concomitantes con nitrato. El presente elemento analítico puede ser una alternativa con ventajas en cuanto a rapidez, precisión y costo sobre los métodos analíticos tradicionales y sobre las tiras reactivas comerciales de empleo habitual en análisis de aguas y agrícolas.Universidad de Granad

Predictors of taste acuity in healthy older Europeans

This study aimed to identify factors associated with taste acuity in healthy older European adults aged 55-87 years, employing a factorial independent design to recruit older adults from centres in France, Italy and United Kingdom. Adults aged 70-87 years (N=387) were recruited in Rome (Italy) (n=108) and Grenoble (France) (n=91) and aged 55-70 years in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) (n=93) and Clermont-Ferrand (C-F) (France) (n=95). A signal detection theory (SDT) approach was used for detection threshold assessment of the four basic tastes (salt; sweet; bitter; and, sour). Trial data were converted to R-indices. Diet was assessed by means of four day food diaries. Dietary data were converted using WISP and then reduced, using a principal components analysis, to four components: Component 1 'high fat and salt'; Component 2 'high vitamins and fibre'; Component 3 'high fat and carbohydrate'; and, Component 4 'high trace elements'. Socio-demographic information was collected by self report survey. Four separate regression analyses were carried out, one for each of the four basic taste qualities (sweet; sour; bitter; salt). Mean ROC scores for each taste quality were the response variables and age, sex, country, social class and dietary components were predictor variables. The main predictors of taste acuity were age, sex, social class and country, which had differential effects for each taste quality. These data suggest that socio-demographic and cultural factors should be taken into account when considering taste acuity in older people

No antioxidant beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in middle-aged and elderly subjects: the Zenith study.

International audienceOBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether zinc supplementation affects antioxidant status in European middle-aged and elderly people. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective intervention study, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control. SETTING: France (Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, and Grenoble), Italy (Rome), Northern Ireland (Coleraine). SUBJECTS: A total of 387 healthy middle-aged (55-70 yrs) and free-living older aged (70-85 yrs) subjects were randomly allocated to three groups: 0, 15 or 30 mg zinc gluconate/d in addition to usual dietary intake during 6 months. METHODS: Oxidative stress status was evaluated by measurement of protein oxidation (plasma thiol groups), lipid peroxidation (plasma thio-barbituric acid reactants, TBARS), whole blood glutathione levels, erythrocyte copper/zinc superoxide dismutase activity and plasma antioxidant status (ferric reducing antioxidant power assay), at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Zinc supplementation did not alter oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in elderly, after 3 or 6 months, except an increase in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSIONS: In apparently healthy free living elderly people, a single zinc supplementation had no effects on oxidative stress status

Age- and sex-dependent effects of long-term zinc supplementation on essential trace element status and lipid metabolism in European subjects:The Zenith Study

International audienceGiven the key role of Zn in many physiological functions, optimal Zn status could be a predictive parameter of successful ageing. However, the benefit of Zn supplementation is still a matter of debate since Zn supplementation has been reported to be associated with the alteration of Cu status and lipid metabolism. As part of the Zenith Project, the present study aimed to investigate, in free-living healthy European middle-aged and older subjects, the effect of Zn supplementation on the biochemical status of Zn, Fe and Cu and on lipid profile. Volunteers aged 55-70 (n 188) and 70-85 (n 199) years old participated in a double-blinded, randomised study and received a daily placebo, or Zn as 15 or 30 mg for 6 months. Zn supplementation did not significantly modify erythrocyte Zn levels or erythrocyte Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity. But Zn supplementation at 15 or 30 mg/d for 6 months increased significantly serum Zn levels and Zn urinary excretion with no major adverse effects on Fe and Cu status or on lipid metabolism. However, Zn supplementation at 30 mg/d showed some age- and sex-dependent alterations in Fe status or lipid profile. Therefore, with respect to the key role of an optimal Zn status in successful ageing, Zn supplementation at 15 mg/d, when necessary, could be safely proposed regarding lipids and the risk of interaction with Fe and Cu