Effects of zinc supplementation in combination with difructose, an enhancer of intestinal zinc absorption, on serum zinc concentration and ratio of apo-/holo-activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme in patients with refractory taste impairment.

Abstract

Objective: ACE ratio in the serum is a more sensitive indicator of zinc nutrition than serum zinc concentration. In this study, we examined the effects of zinc supplementation in combination with difructose anhydride (DFA) that enhances zinc absorption in the intestine on serum zinc concentration and ACE ratio in patients with refractory taste impairment.

Methods: Twenty patients with refractory taste impairment were enrolled. The patients received 34 mg of zinc in combination with 2.0 g of DFA orally every day for three months. Taste impairment was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results: After zinc supplementation with DFA (zinc with DFA), ACE ratio was significantly decreased, but serum zinc concentration was not increased in patiens with refractory taste impairment. Although VAS score was not changed in the patients after zinc with DFA, we divided the patients into two groups : 14 responders and 6 non-responders. ACE ratio in responders, but not in non-responders was significantly decreased after zinc with DFA. However, serum zinc concentration was not changed in both responders and non-responders after zinc with DFA.

Conclusion: The present findings suggest that malabsorption of zinc in the intestine is the primary cause of zinc deficiency in patients with refractory taste impairment. J. Med. Invest. 72 : 156-160, February, 2025.