Influence of cortisol on zinc metabolism in morbidly obese women

Introduction: The accumulation of visceral fat affects the metabolism of hormones and some nutrients, but these mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: To assess the influence of cortisol on the metabolism of zinc in morbidly obese women. Method: Cross-sectional, case-control study involving 80 women aged between 20 and 59 years. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental (morbidly obese, n = 40) and control (normal weight, n = 40). Zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and serum and urinary cortisol by chemiluminescence method. Results: Zinc intake was significantly different between groups. Mean plasma zinc was lower in obese compared to control group. Mean values for erythrocyte zinc were 44.52 +/- 7.84 mu g/gHb and 40.17 +/- 6.71 mu g/gHb for obese and control groups, respectively. Urinary excretion of this mineral was higher in obese compared to control subjects (p < 0.05). Mean values for plasma cortisol were 9.58 +/- 4.86 mu g/dL for obese and 9.89 +/- 5.61 mu g/dL for control groups. Mean values for urinary cortisol were 163.00 +/- 100.35 mu g/dL and 109.71 +/- 34.88 mu g/dL for obese and control groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis between cortisol and zinc was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Obese patients have hypozincemia and high erythrocyte zinc levels. The correlation between zinc parameters and cortisol concentration showed no influence of this hormone on zinc metabolism.