**3.7 Zinc (Zn)**

*Mineral Deficiencies - Electrolyte Disturbances, Genes, Diet and Disease Interface*

Reports evidence that iron (Fe+

**3.5 Molybdenum (Mo)**

deficiency leads to chrons disease.

**3.6 Sodium (Na)**

gets metabolised (heme) through heme oxygenase-1 [80, 81]. Inhibitors of iron absorption includes phytic acid [82], polyphenols [83], and calcium [84] whereas ascorbic acid is enhancer [85]. Iron is transported inside the body through circulating proteins namely transferrin, lactoferrin, ferritin, heme proteins [86]. Iron regulation inside the cells occurs by 2 mechanisms one is by binding of iron responsive elements (IRE) [87] to iron responsive proteins (IRP) and other by Hepcidin. Gene mutations of transferrin receptor 2, haemochromatosis, haemochromatosis type 2, hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (HAMP) [88] for impaired expression had observed. Iron storage inside the body is by ferritin [89] in liver, spleen, bone marrow [90]. Bodily iron is mostly excreted in form of blood through menstrual release and other forms includes skin and gastro intestinal tract [91] but not through urine. Iron deficiency results in depletion of iron and primary cause is low bioavailability of iron. It also occurs through pregnancy, menstruation, and pathologic conditions [92, 93]. Anaemia is the sign of iron deficiency [94]. Iron deficiency overcome by improvement in iron uptake and bioavailability, supplementation of iron with food and its fortification. Deficiency diseases include hypochromic microcytic anaemia.

apoferritin to form ferritin which then binds to heme carrier protein (HCP) to form ferroportion (FPN). Ferroprotein is either stored in liver or transported in the blood, combines with transferrin in blood and reach erythrocytes that then binds to transferrin receptor and internalised into the cell and gets dissociated with the help of divalent metal carrier transporter 1 and performs functions such as erythropoiesis, cell metabolism, myoglobin production in muscles. Heme combines with myoglobin to form haemoglobin [59]. Recent reports reveal that PR domain zinc finger protein 8 (PRDM8) gene had a role in premature ageing of haematopoietic cells through DNA methylation that leads from aplastic anaemia (AA) patients independent of telomere attrition a haemoglobin disorder [95]. The role of iron in haemoglobin synthesis shown in **Figure 2h.** Reports also state that anaemia resulting from erythropoiesis of haematopoietic ageing of intrinsic altered microenvironment had upregulated IL-6, TGF-β signalling [96]. The signalling pathway

The daily intake of molybdenum was 75-250 ug and toxicity characterised by gout and joint pains. Molybdenum is present as cofactor for nitrate reductase, Xanthine oxidase and sulphite oxidase enzymes. Molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis occurs in steps formation of precursor Z from GTP, synthesis of molybbdeoprotein from precursor Z, addition of adenyl group to molybdoprotein and its insertion [97]. Molybdenum uptake inside the cells occurs with the help of ATP binding cassette transporters [98]. Molybdenum deficiency results in improper functioning of enzymes responsible for specific metabolic pathways in which they were involved and leads to metabolic diseases such as Xanthinuria, Hyperuricemia, and neurodegeneration. Deficiency diseases are almost unknown but some reports reveal its

Abundantly found in common salt and other sources include leafy vegetables, milk, eggs, and nuts and daily intake is about 5-10 g. Absorbed as sodium ions and circulates inside the body in plasma and plasma levels were 135-145 mEq/L. It is cheif extra cellular cation regulates acid–base balance and involved in osmotic pressure. It is involved in activation & transmission of nerve impulse, absorption of biomolecules

connecting iron deficiency and ageing shown in **Figure 3**.

2) is absorbed by duodenal cells and binds with

**36**

Zinc mostly found in meat, cabbage, dates, mushrooms etc. and daily intake is 10-15 mg. Exposure of zinc is mainly by three ways inhalation, dermal exposure, oral exposure [105] and excess zinc shows symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, anaemia, gastrointestinal effects. Zinc plays an essential role as structural, catalytic, mild deficiency causes oligospermia, hyperammonemia [106]. Zinc is absorbed in duodenum phytate inhibits absorption whereas amino acids enhances its absorption. Oral uptake of zinc absorbs through small intestine and distributed in serum by binding to albumin, α-microglobulin, and transferrin [107]. Zinc homeostasis occurs mainly with the help of transport proteins namely Zinc importer (ZIP) and zinc transporter (ZnT) [108] which then binds to metallothionin, and sequester to other cell organelle. Beneficial aspects of zinc were antioxidant [109], antidepressant, antidiabetic [110], delayed wound healing, and anticancer [111]. Toxic effects of zinc observed when it crosses more than 100-300 mg/day typical symptoms include reduction of HDL and cholesterol levels, vomiting, lethargy, and fatigue. Serum zinc levels is about 100 mg/dl. Excretion of zinc occurs mainly by kidney, skin, and intestine. The role of zinc as immune protector well studied as anti-inflammatory and performs its action through reducing intracellular ROS by activating superoxide dismutase (SOD), NADPH oxidoreductase (NOX), metallothionin (MT) thereby suppressing inflammatory pathway (NFkB) and reduces it [112]. The role of zinc in immunity shown in **Figure 2j**. Zinc deficiency induces oxidative stress activates transcription factors NFkB, AP 1 through NFkB signalling in ageing process [113, 114]. The signalling pathway connecting zinc deficiency and ageing shown in **Figure 3**.
