Zinc and the Synthesis of Zinc Binding Proteins (Protocol B)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The specific aim of this protocol is to examine differential expression of specific mRNAs and proteins that occur when the dietary intake of zinc is acutely reduced below the dietary requirement for a period of ten days.

Detailed Description
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Methods to assess the dietary zinc status of individual humans or populations are lacking. The study is a three period observational study of biomarkers of zinc status before, during and after zinc depletion. The entire dietary study will take 24 days composed of three parts: Dietary Acclimation (Phase 1): 7 days Dietary Zinc Restriction (Phase 2): 10 days Dietary Zinc Repletion (Phase 3): 7 days The dietary treatments and all blood draws will be carried out in the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at University of Florida. Previous research from has shown that both metallothionein gene expression and specific zinc transporter genes in blood leukocyte subsets are directly proportional to dietary zinc intake. By using cDNA array analysis and quantitative PCR technology with blood RNA, those genes most sensitive to zinc nutrition will be identified for the purpose of developing zinc status assessment methods on how zinc functions in human biology. Additionally, buccal mucosal cells will be collected in the GCRC by using swabs, i.e., in a noninvasive manner, to further characterize the expression pattern of the genes under study. This method has the potential for nutrition studies in the field (international nutrition, etc).

Official Title
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Zinc and the Synthesis of Zinc Binding Proteins (Protocol B)

Conditions
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Zinc Deficiency

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Acclimation
* Other: Dietary zinc depletion
* Other: Dietary zinc repletion


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy male 21-35 years Body weight above 110 lb Exclusion Criteria: Use of dietary supplements Smoker Alcoholic Under medication History of chronic disease Use of denture cream Vegetarian Food allergy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Dietary Restriction<br> | Other: Acclimation<br>* 11 mg Zn/day as a controlled intake level<br>* Other names: Phase 1;Other: Dietary zinc depletion<br>* < 1 mg Zn/day achieved by providing a liquified diet of defined nutrient content<br>* Other names: Phase 2;Other: Dietary zinc repletion<br>* 15 mg Zn/day as a daily supplement plus normal habitual diet without restriction<br>* Other names: Phase 3;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Serum zinc concentration |  | 24 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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zinc, reticulocyte, PBMC, whole blood, transcriptome, microarray