Development of a dietary model for the study of mild zinc deficiency in humans and evaluation of some biochemical and functional indices of zinc status.

After a 1-wk baseline period, a dietary regimen was developed to induce mild zinc deficiency in 15 males (aged 25.3 +/- 3.3 y, mean +/- SD). The regimen consisted of 1 wk on a liquid diet containing 0.6 mg Zn/d and molar ratios of phytate to zinc (phy:Zn) and of phytate X calcium to zinc [(phy X Ca): Zn] of 209 and 4116, respectively, followed by 6 wk on a diet based on soy protein and egg albumin containing 4 mg Zn/d and with phy:Zn and (Ca X phy):Zn of 70 and 2000, respectively. Subjects were then repleted with 30 mg Zn/d for 2 wk. Fasting blood and urine samples were taken weekly. Changes were observed in mean plasma (mumol/L) and urinary zinc (mumol/d): baseline 97.0 +/- 10.9 and 8.0 +/- 2.7, depletion 80.1 +/- 13.4 and 4.3 +/- 2.3, and repletion 100.8 +/- 13.6 and 8.2 +/- 3.1, respectively (P less than 0.05); taste acuity (0.05 less than P less than 0.10); and cellular immune responses (P less than 0.05). Activities of plasma angiotensin-1-converting enzyme and acidic alpha-D-mannosidase were unchanged. Mild zinc deficiency was induced by the dietary regimen.