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Plasma Zinc, Copper, and Serum Thyroid Hormones and Insulin Levels After Zinc Supplementation Followed by Placebo in Competitive Athletes

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Abstract

Intense physical activity is associated with biological adaptations involving hormones and trace elements. Zinc supplementation may affect plasma copper concentration, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones, insulin, and glucose homeostasis, but data in athletes are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate in competitive athletes (cyclists, n = 7, 32 ± 8 years) the effect of zinc supplementation (22 mg/day as zinc gluconate) during 30 days, and discontinuation using placebo (maltodextrin) during the following 30 days, on plasma zinc and copper concentrations, serum thyroid hormones, insulin and glucose levels, and HOMA2-IR. Compared to baseline, plasma zinc and Zn:Cu plasma ratio increased, but plasma copper decreased after zinc supplementation (day 30) and discontinuation (day 60) (p < 0.05). Zn supplementation and discontinuation had no effect on TSH, T3, and T4. Fasting serum insulin and HOMA2-IR increased (27% and 47%, respectively) on day 60 compared to baseline (p = 0.03), suggesting a delayed effect of zinc supplementation. Moreover, plasma zinc was positively associated with serum insulin (r = 0.87, p = 0.009) and HOMA2-IR (r = 0.81, p = 0.03) after zinc supplementation (day 30), indicating that supplemental zinc may impair glucose utilization in cyclists.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by FAPERJ and CNPq (Brazil). We also thank all the dedicated subjects who participated in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Lucianna Fernandes J. C. Marques & Carmen Marino Donangelo

  2. Instituto de Nutrição, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Luciane Pires & Josely Correa Koury

  3. Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Juliana Gastao Franco & Patricia Cristina Lisboa

  4. Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Gustavo Casimiro-Lopes

  5. Instituto de Química, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Aderval Severino Luna

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  1. Lucianna Fernandes J. C. Marques
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  2. Carmen Marino Donangelo
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  3. Juliana Gastao Franco
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  4. Luciane Pires
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  7. Patricia Cristina Lisboa
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  8. Josely Correa Koury
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Correspondence to Josely Correa Koury.

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Marques, L.F.J.C., Donangelo, C.M., Franco, J.G. et al. Plasma Zinc, Copper, and Serum Thyroid Hormones and Insulin Levels After Zinc Supplementation Followed by Placebo in Competitive Athletes. Biol Trace Elem Res 142, 415–423 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8821-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8821-z

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