TY - JOUR
T1 - Myocardial infarction risk in relation to zinc concentration in toenails
AU - Martin-Moreno, J.M.
AU - Gorgojo, L.
AU - Riemersma, R.A.
AU - Gomez-Aracena, J.
AU - Kark, J.D.
AU - Guillen, J.
AU - Jimenez, J.
AU - Ringstad, J.J.
AU - Fernandez-Crehuet, J.
AU - Bode, P.
AU - Kok, F.J.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - Zn is an essential mineral. The role of Zn in atherosclerosis is not clear. Epidemiological studies, which have reported contradictory results, are limited by the use of serum Zn levels as a marker of intake. We assessed the association of toenail Zn, which integrates dietary Zn intake over 3 to 12 months, with the risk of a first myocardial infarction. Toenail Zn concentrations were determined by neutron activation analysis in the European multi-centre case–control study on antioxidants, myocardial infarction and breast cancer. This multi-centre case–control study included 684 cases and 724 controls from eight European countries and Israel. Toenail Zn levels of controls (adjusted for age and study centre) were positively associated with age, a-tocopherol and Se, but not with additional dietary variables or with classical risk factors for CHD. Average toenail Zn was 106·0 mg/kg in cases (95 % CI 103·1, 108·9) and 107·5 mg/kg in controls (95 % CI 104·5, 110·7). After controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and for centre, the adjusted odds ratios of myocardial infarction for quintiles 2–5 of toenail Zn with respect to the first quintile were 0·97 (95 % CI 0·59, 1·58), 1·15 (95 % CI 0·72, 1·85), 0·91 (95 % CI 0·56, 1·50), and 0·85 (95 % CI 0·52, 1·39). The P for trend was 0·45. In conclusion toenail Zn levels (reflecting long-term dietary intake) were not significantly associated with acute myocardial infarction.
AB - Zn is an essential mineral. The role of Zn in atherosclerosis is not clear. Epidemiological studies, which have reported contradictory results, are limited by the use of serum Zn levels as a marker of intake. We assessed the association of toenail Zn, which integrates dietary Zn intake over 3 to 12 months, with the risk of a first myocardial infarction. Toenail Zn concentrations were determined by neutron activation analysis in the European multi-centre case–control study on antioxidants, myocardial infarction and breast cancer. This multi-centre case–control study included 684 cases and 724 controls from eight European countries and Israel. Toenail Zn levels of controls (adjusted for age and study centre) were positively associated with age, a-tocopherol and Se, but not with additional dietary variables or with classical risk factors for CHD. Average toenail Zn was 106·0 mg/kg in cases (95 % CI 103·1, 108·9) and 107·5 mg/kg in controls (95 % CI 104·5, 110·7). After controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and for centre, the adjusted odds ratios of myocardial infarction for quintiles 2–5 of toenail Zn with respect to the first quintile were 0·97 (95 % CI 0·59, 1·58), 1·15 (95 % CI 0·72, 1·85), 0·91 (95 % CI 0·56, 1·50), and 0·85 (95 % CI 0·52, 1·39). The P for trend was 0·45. In conclusion toenail Zn levels (reflecting long-term dietary intake) were not significantly associated with acute myocardial infarction.
KW - coronary heart-disease
KW - trace-elements
KW - cardiovascular-disease
KW - serum copper
KW - magnesium
KW - calcium
KW - nutrition
KW - selenium
KW - tissue
KW - cancer
U2 - 10.1079/BJN2003825
DO - 10.1079/BJN2003825
M3 - Article
SN - 0007-1145
VL - 89
SP - 673
EP - 678
JO - British Journal of Nutrition
JF - British Journal of Nutrition
IS - 5
ER -
