Impact of Zinc Deficiency During Prenatal and/or Postnatal Life on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: Experimental and Clinical Evidence

Abstract

This review summarizes the latest findings, from animal models and clinical studies, regarding the cardiovascular and metabolic consequences in adult life of zinc deficiency (ZD) during prenatal and early postnatal life. The effect of zinc supplementation (ZS) and new insights about sex differences in the phenotype and severity of cardiovascular and metabolic alterations are also discussed. Zinc has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties and regulates the activity of enzymes involved in regulation of the metabolic, cardiovascular and renal systems. Maternal ZD is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and low birth weight (LBW). Breast-fed preterm infants are at risk for ZD due to lower zinc uptake during fetal life and reduced gut absorption capacity. ZS is most likely to increase growth in preterm infants and survival in LBW infants in countries where ZD is prevalent. Studies performed in rats revealed that moderate ZD during prenatal and/or early postnatal growth is a risk factor for the development of hypertension, cardiovascular and renal alterations, obesity and diabetes in adult life. Adequate zinc diet (AZ) during post-weaning life could not always prevent the cardiovascular and metabolic alterations induced by zinc restriction during fetal and lactation periods. Male rats are more susceptible to this injury than females and some of the mechanisms involved would be: 1) alterations in organogenesis, 2) activation of oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory processes, 3) dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO) and renin angiotensin aldosterone (RAAS) systems, 4) changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, and 5) adipose tissue dysfunction. Safeguarding body zinc requirements during pregnancy, lactation, and growth periods may become a new target in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Further research is needed to elucidate the efficacy of ZS during early stages of growth to prevent the development of these diseases later in life.

Histological and Immunohistochemical Study of the Effect of prenatal Zinc Deficiency on Postnatal Development of rat Liver

“…It is clearly pronounced in this study findings that prenatal zinc deficiency induced a long-term effect on the offspring which extend to be highly obvious in adult age, this comes in accordance with [61,62] who proposed hypothesis links poor foetal and infant growth with subsequent development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and longterm irreversible impact on the offspring's brain leading to neurological and behavioural disorders later in life.…”

Effects of micronutrient and phytochemical supplementation on cardiovascular health in obese and overweight children: a narrative review

“…In addition at 81 days of life, Llm, Llf, Lcm and Lcf offspring exhibited lower basal NOS activity than Ccm and Ccf, respectively. This study suggests that dietary zinc restriction during fetal life, lactation and/or postweaning growth programs lower contractile and endothelial-dependent relaxant responses in thoracic aorta of adult males and females [20].…”

“…After 81 days Llm and Lcm rats showed an increase in SBP compared with Ccm. Vasoconstrictor response to Ang-II was reduced in male and female Ll and Lc compared with Cc rats [20]. In addition at 81 days of life, Llm, Llf, Lcm and Lcf offspring exhibited lower basal NOS activity than Ccm and Ccf, respectively.…”

“…Studies performed in rats revealed that zinc deficiency, especially during early postnatal growth, is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular alterations, because of its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. In a recent study, female rats were randomly fed either a moderately zinc-deficient diet (L, 8 ppm, n ¼ 17) or a control zinc diet (C, 30 ppm, n ¼ 11) during the pregnancy and lactation periods [20]. Eight rat pups remained with each mother during the weaning period.…”

L-shaped association between dietary zinc intake and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults: A cohort study

“…Although foods such as lean meat, seafood and nuts are rich in zinc, about 17% of the world's population is at risk of insufficient Zn intake (6,7). Zn insufficient can lead to CVD, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic diseases (8)(9)(10). In recent decades, the role of Zn in CVD has become a research hotspot.…”