QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Flanagan, P. R. Articles by Valberg, L. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Flanagan, P. R. Articles by Valberg, L. S.

Dual-Isotope Method for Determination of Human Zinc Absorption: The Use of a Test Meal of Turkey Meat¹

Departments of Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5

The percentage of ⁶⁵Zn taken up (absorbed) from extrinsically labeled turkey meat was calculated from the amounts of ⁶⁵Zn and a nonabsorbed ⁵¹Cr marker present in the body or in a single stool specimen after 1–2 d. ⁵¹CrCl₃ proved to be a suitable marker for unabsorbed ⁶⁵Zn and so the early determination of ⁶⁵Zn absorption was possible. With stool counting, ⁶⁵Zn absorption data from first stool samples after 1–2 d were accurate as judged by correlation with the amount of ⁶⁵Zn in the body 7–10 d later (retention); results from subsequent stools gave lower absorption values due to the early excretion of some absorbed ⁶⁵Zn. The dual-isotope method gave reproducible results when four successive tests of zinc absorption were carried out in a group of six subjects. The average (mean ± SD) ⁶⁵Zn absorption from turkey meals containing 31 µmol (2 mg) and 46 µmol (3 mg) of zinc was 39 ± 8% and 29 ± 6%, respectively, measured by stool counting; ⁶⁵Zn absorption and retention correlated well in both studies. A series of different beverages was given in place of water with the turkey meal. Orange juice significantly reduced ⁶⁵Zn absorption and milk also showed this tendency, but tea, whiskey, wine or beer had no significant effect on the absorption of ⁶⁵Zn from the turkey meal. In groups of subjects the mean ratio of ⁶⁵Zn absorption from extrinsically labeled turkey meat on two occasions (1.06) was not significantly different from that of the absorption of extrinsic to intrinsic ⁶⁵Zn labels (1.16). The dual-isotope technique with either stool or body counting is suitable for the rapid determination of ⁶⁵Zn absorption from extrinsically labeled turkey within 2 d.

KEY WORDS: • zinc absorption • zinc retention • ⁶⁵Zn • ⁵¹Cr • food • beverages • extrinsic label • intrinsic label • human subjects • stool sample

¹ Supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and The Richard Ivey Foundation.

² Address correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. P. R. Flanagan, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Box 5339, Terminal A, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5.

Manuscript received 29 May 1984.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. L. Rosado, K. M. Hambidge, L. V. Miller, O. P. Garcia, J. Westcott, K. Gonzalez, J. Conde, C. Hotz, W. Pfeiffer, I. Ortiz-Monasterio, et al. The Quantity of Zinc Absorbed from Wheat in Adult Women Is Enhanced by Biofortification J. Nutr., October 1, 2009; 139(10): 1920 - 1925. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]