Skip to Content
Merck
  • An alternative way for the evaluation of zinc status in the elderly; nail zinc levels and relationship with Alzheimer's disease.

An alternative way for the evaluation of zinc status in the elderly; nail zinc levels and relationship with Alzheimer's disease.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2013-06-19)
M E Kuyumcu, Y Yesil, Z A Ozturk, M Cankurtaran, Z Ulger, M Halil, B B Yavuz, B Sait, O Akyol, H Vural, Y Kara, S Ariogul
ABSTRACT

Zinc is one of the most important elements for human body. Zinc deficiency can occur in any age, if it is seen in elderly its clinical results can be more harmful due to already diminished functions. Some studies showed zinc deficiency has an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. In this study we measured the nail zinc levels and aimed to show its clinical implications in geriatric patients, especially Alzheimer disease. 43 patients with Alzheimer disease and 89 patients with normal cognitive function were evaluated. The diagnosis of Alzheimer disease was made according to DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria after cognitive assessment and neuroimaging performed using magnetic resonance. Hand fingernail samples are obtained from the patients. Mean zinc level from fingernail samples was 117.99 ± 73.44 ppm in Alzheimer Disease patients, 123.86 ± 77.98 ppm in control group (p: 0.680). This is the first study measuring nail zinc levels in elderly patients with and without Alzheimer disease. Our data reveal no significant difference in nail zinc levels between two groups. However, fingernail zinc may be a useful biomarker in elderly population.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, 99.999% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, granular, 20-30 mesh, ACS reagent, ≥99.8%
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, foil, thickness 1.0 mm, 99.99% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., ≥99.9%, granular
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, nanopowder, 40-60 nm avg. part. size, ≥99% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, dust, <10 μm, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc preparation, 5 g/dL Zn+2 in THF, highly reactive Rieke®metal
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, shot, <12 mm, 99.99% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, shot, 5 mm, 99.999% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, pieces, 2-14 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, sticks, diam. 7-10 mm, 99.97% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, wire, diam. 1.0 mm, 99.995% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, powder, <150 μm, 99.995% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, purum, powder
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, granular, 30-100 mesh, 99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, mossy, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Zinc, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis