[The effect of various diseases on the zinc plasma level].

Zinc, an important enzymatic cofactor, takes part in numerous metabolic pathways. In man, zinc deficiencies may be due either to deficient absorption or to excessive use. In this study in 285 patients hospitalized in a department of internal medicine for acute or chronic conditions, serum zinc assays have shown the following results: serum zinc concentrations are significantly decreased in acute critical conditions (cardiovascular ischemic disorders, heart failure, infections); in chronic conditions, serum zinc is decreased in some instances (renal failure, cancer, alcoholism, diarrhea), while it remains normal in others (compensated heart failure, non-insulin dependent diabetes, arterial hypertension, obesity). The fall in serum zinc concentrations is usually correlated with the severity of the clinical condition.