Zinc Deficiency May Worsen Atherosclerosis 32454

Zinc Deficiency May Worsen Atherosclerosis

LEXINGTON, Ky.-- Zinc deficiency may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly by inducing inflammation and decreasing levels of endogenous compounds that protect against atherosclerosis, according to an animal study coordinated at the University of Kentucky and published in the Journal of Nutrition (135:2114-2118, 2005).

The researchers fed LDL receptor knockout mice a moderate-fat diet that was zinc deficient or zinc supplemented for four weeks. Mice on the zinc-deficient diet had significantly increased concentrations of cholesterol and triacylglycerides in the VLDL and HDL fractions. In addition, the zinc deficient mice had significantly increased levels of inflammatory markers and reduced the DNA binding activity of peroxisome proliferators activate receptors (PPARs). The conclusion was that zinc deficiency can induce a proinflammatory state and decrease the protection of PPAR during atherosclerosis.