Normalization of zinc intake enhances neurological retrieval of patients suffering from ischemic strokes

Authors: Aquilani, Roberto¹; Baiardi, Paola²; Scocchi, Marco³; Iadarola, Paolo⁴; Verri, Manuela⁵; Sessarego, Paolo⁶; Boschi, Federica⁷; Pasini, Evasio⁸; Pastoris, Ornella⁵; Viglio, Simona⁴

Source: Nutritional Neuroscience, Volume 12, Number 5, October 2009 , pp. 219-225(7)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

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Abstract:

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate whether zinc (Zn²⁺) supplementation could contribute to neurological retrieval of patients suffering from strokes and low Zn²⁺ intake.

Patients and methods: Twenty-six patients with subacute stroke, having adequate daily energy (≥ 24 kcal/kg/day) and protein (≥ 0.8 g/kg/day) intake (EPI) and Zn²⁺ ingestion lower than two-thirds of the recommended allowance of 10 mg/day, were randomly allocated either to a control group (n = 13) or Zn²⁺ group (n = 13) where Zn²⁺ supplementation consisted of 10 mg Zn²⁺/day. Neurological gravity was tested with the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) at patient admission and after 30 days of protocol commencement.

Results: At day 30, the improvement in NIHSS was higher in the zinc group than in the placebo (−4.7 ± 1.3 points versus −3.3 ± 1.1 points; P < 0.02). NIHSS and Zn²⁺ intake were negatively correlated (r = −0.46; P < 0.02).

Conclusion: The normalization of Zn²⁺ intake in stroke patients with low mineral intake may enhance neurological recovery.

Keywords: ZINC; ISCHEMIC STROKE; REHABILITATION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1179/147683009X423445

Affiliations: 1: Metabolic Service and Nutritional Pathophysiology, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Montescano, Italy 2: Unità di Metodologia e Statistica, Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche, Pavia, Italy 3: Centro Fisioterapico Piukinesi, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genova, Italy 4: Department of Biochemistry 'A. Castellani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy 5: Department of Physiological, Pharmacological, Cellular and Molecular Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy 6: Rehabilitation Institute, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Genoa-Nervi, Italy 7: Department of Experimental and Applied Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy 8: Cardiology Division, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Gussago (BS), Italy

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