ZINC-METABOLISM IN CELIAC-DISEASE

The turnover of a radiolabeled (65Zn) pool of endogenous zinc was monitored by using a whole-body counter in eight patients with celiac disease (CD) and analyzed by using a two-compartment model. The biological half-life of the first compartment (1-3 wk postadministration) was similar in healthy volunteers (122 ± 34 d, x̄ ± SD) and untreated patients (97 ± 21 d). The second compartment in the patients (3-12 wk postadministration) was shorter (159 ± 22.5 d, p < 0.001) than were reference values (218 ± 27 d) but increased (291 ± 71 d) after the patients started gluten-free diets. The percentage absorption of 65Zn (9.25 kBq) from a test meal containing 31 μmol (2 mg) zinc was similar in untreated patients (30.0 ± 13%) and healthy volunteers (32.5 ± 12.4%). These data show that in mild untreated CD increased turnover and loss of endogenous zinc occurs whereas the absorption of zinc from a customary zinc intake may be normal. The pathophysiological basis of this loss was not investigated.