Serum zinc levels in healthy subjects from southeastern Spain

The serum zinc (Zn) concentrations of 80 healthy subjects (48 male, 32 female) from southeastern Spain were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were digested by heating in a 4:1 mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. The concentration of Zn was determined against a Contox Trace Metal Serum Control Panel A standard reference. Zn concentrations in the standard were found to be 2.332 +/- 0.489 mg/L, with a mean recovery of 102.7%. In the serum samples, the relative standard deviation was <6% for the range of concentrations determined: 0.420-1.540 mg/L for women (mean value 0.947 +/- 0.265 mg/L) and 0.490-1.480 mg/L for men (mean value 0.951 +/- 0.243 mg/L). In healthy subjects, no statistically significant differences were observed in the Zn levels with respect to their sex (p > 0.05) or the location where they lived (mountainous vs coastal zones). It is concluded that the dietary Zn intake and Zn status for healthy adults in this region of Spain are within normal values.