September 19, 2005 Researchers reported in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition (vol 135, pp2114-2118)that a new study in mice showed a zinc deficient diet had significantly higher concentrations of both VLDL (‘bad' low density lipoprotein) and HDL (‘good' high density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triacylglycerides compared to the control mice.
A zinc-deficiency may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease through inflammation and a decreased level of other compounds that protect against atherosclerosis, said the researchers from the University of Kentucky.
Additionally researchers noted that the zinc-deficient mice experienced an increase in inflammatory markers compared to the control and supplemented groups. The concentrations of glutathione reductase mRNA in their thoracic aortae was higher, and the DNA binding activity of peroxisome proliferator activate receptors (PPARs) was reduced in liver.
Source: Journal of Nutrition
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