Alteration in Gut Microbiota Associated with Zinc Deficiency in School-Age Children

Abstract

Zinc deficiency could lead to a dynamic variation in gut microbial composition and function in animals. However, how zinc deficiency affects the gut microbiome in school-age children remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to profile the dynamic shifts in the gut microbiome of school-age children with zinc deficiency, and to determine whether such shifts are associated with dietary intake. A dietary survey, anthropometric measurements, and serum tests were performed on 177 school-age children, and 67 children were selected to explore the gut microbial community using amplicon sequencing. School-age children suffered from poor dietary diversity and insufficient food and nutrient intake, and 32% of them were zinc deficient. The inflammatory cytokines significantly increased in the zinc deficiency (ZD) group compared to that in the control (CK) group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in beta diversity, while the Shannon index was much higher in the ZD group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Coprobacter, Acetivibrio, Paraprevotella, and Clostridium_XI were more abundant in the ZD group (p < 0.05). A functional predictive analysis showed that the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 was significantly depleted in the ZD group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, gut microbial diversity was affected by zinc deficiency with some specific bacteria highlighted in the ZD group, which may be used as biomarkers for further clinical diagnosis of zinc deficiency.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica during parenteral nutrition: a pediatric case report

“…Zinc is an essential micronutrient obtained from diet. About 17% of the world's human population suffers from zinc de ciency [9]. It is more prevalent in areas of high cereal and low animal food consumption [10].…”

Potential Complementary Effect of Zinc and Alkalihalobacillus clausii on Gut Health and Immunity: A Narrative Review

“…Inadequate zinc intake may present a variety of clinical manifestations (growth retardation, rough skin, poor appetite, mental lethargy, abnormal neurosensory changes, and delayed wound healing) depending on the severity of the condition, and it may lead to zinc deficiency [ 93 ]. Zinc deficiency in children is responsible for an increase in the risk of developing gastrointestinal diseases (especially diarrhoea) [ 20 , 37 , 82 , 94 , 95 , 96 ], acute lower respiratory tract infections [ 27 , 69 , 70 , 97 , 98 , 99 ], and growth retardation [ 28 , 88 , 100 ]. The influence of zinc deficiency on gastrointestinal health derives from a variety of mechanisms, including the direct alteration of gut microbiota, decreased immunity, and impaired barrier integrity [ 37 , 81 , 101 ].…”

“…The gut microbiota impacts the body’s bioavailability of micronutrients needed for growth and other essential biological activities. At the same time, the intake of micronutrients (e.g., zinc) affects the structure and function of the gut microbiota [ 19 , 20 ]. Zinc is an essential micronutrient, which can be found in a variety of food (meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products) [ 21 ], and it can impact gut bacterial survival by modulating the expression of proteins that are necessary for cell survival, such as superoxide dismutase, proteases, DNA polymerases, and ribosomal proteins [ 22 ].…”

“…It is also present in the body’s cell surface proteins, preserving the stability and integrity of biological membranes and ion channels, while also contributing to protein synthesis and gene expression [ 25 ]. Its multiple properties significantly influence the immune system [ 26 ] and the intestinal mucosa [ 20 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. An inadequate zinc intake (which may arise from poor diet, increased organic demand or loss, and decreased absorption) increases the risk of deficiencies and associated immune dysfunctions.…”

Impact of Zinc on Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Fat Accumulation

“…So, zinc deficiency has a disruptive influence on both intestinal microflora and host cells, culminating in inflammation of the intestinal wall (40). In one observational study alteration of gut microbiome were reported in school-aged children with zinc deficiency (41). leaky intestinal epithelial cells which increase permeability of the gut mucosal are made transferring lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into systemic circulation resulting IR and hyperinsulinemia following activation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and 2 and LPS receptor CD14 as well as immune system (42).…”