Response of Fatty Acid Desaturation to Zinc IntakeNCT06348056
A Comparison of the Metabolic Effects of Zinc-Amino Acid (ZnAA) Versus Zinc Gluconate
A study testing 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 days and 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 days in people with Response of Fatty Acid Desaturation to Zinc Intake, run by University of California, Berkeley at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Food consumption affects zinc metabolism within the body. Lowe and colleagues demonstrated that zinc is directed out of plasma and into tissues, such as into the liver, postprandially . Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Response of Fatty Acid Desaturation to Zinc Intake
- What is being tested?
- 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 days and 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 days
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 22 Jan 2024to 30 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Apparently healthy men (i.e., have no current health issues requiring medications or a specific diet)
- 18 to 50 years of age
- Body mass index between 18 and 30 kg/m2
- Willing to take zinc supplements provided by the study for a total of four weeks
Who cannot join
- History of heart disease, any inflammatory disorder including inflammatory bowel syndrome or arthritis, or any cancer treatment, or previously diagnosed with HIV
- Smoking or alcohol abuse, use of illicit drugs
- Any contraindication to venipuncture such as bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners
- Those taking vitamins or supplements including minerals and omega oils, who cannot agree to stop taking the supplements two weeks prior to the study and for the duration of the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720
About this study
Official title: A Comparison of the Metabolic Effects of Zinc-Amino Acid (ZnAA) Versus Zinc Gluconate Given in a Fasted State
Food consumption affects zinc metabolism within the body. Lowe and colleagues demonstrated that zinc is directed out of plasma and into tissues, such as into the liver, postprandially . It is likely that zinc absorbed with a meal is directed to the liver via the portal circulation whereas that zinc taken in the fasted state is more readily directed to peripheral blood plasma. Zinc taken with food is more likely to be bound to components of the food matrix and, therefore, it is not absorbed as efficiently by Zip4 ionic zinc transporters in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Some of the zinc in the food matrix may, however, be co-absorbed with amino acids over the whole length of the small intestine . Co-absorption of zinc with amino acids may explain the greater effects of zinc taken with food on omega-6 fatty acid desaturation . The investigators propose that this effect may be maximized by providing supplemental zinc complexed with amino acids. Since the zinc amino acid complex likely mimics the absorption and retention of zinc bound to protein in food, the investigators further propose that zinc, bound to amino acids taken in the fasted state will be directed into the cellular compartments more efficiently than zinc associated with gluconate.
The primary aim in this study is to determine whether providing a zinc amino acid complex has a greater effect on indices of essential fatty acid desaturation compared with zinc gluconate when the zinc complexes are taken in the fasting state.
The investigators hypothesize that taking a zinc amino acid (Zn-AA) complex in a fasted state daily for two weeks has a greater effect on the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) activity compared with zinc gluconate. Also, if the uptake of ionic zinc gluconate into cellular compartments is reduced in comparison to Zn-AA because the zinc gluconate is retained in the plasma, two weeks of a daily zinc gluconate will have a greater effect on fasting plasma zinc concentrations compared to a Zn- AA complex.
Read the detailed description
Once the informed consent is obtained and the schedule is set with the participant, the participant will pick up their zinc bottle they will consume for the first two weeks and will start the study on the scheduled date.
Visit 1 (Week 1, Day 1): The participants will come to Morgan Hall fasting for their first blood draw visit. They will come to the clinic after an 8-hour fast and we will collect a blood sample. They will be instructed to take their zinc starting on day 2 every morning thirty minutes prior to having their regular breakfast and to write what they eat for breakfast in their breakfast log daily. They will take the given zinc for thirteen days (days 2-14).
Visit 2 (Week 2, Day 15): The participants will come to Morgan Hall after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a second blood sample. Subjects will then be given instructions for visits three and four which will take place two weeks later to allow for a washout period between the crossover studies.
Visit 3 (Week 5, Day 1): The participants will come to Morgan Hall fasting for their third blood draw visit. They will come to the clinic after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a blood sample. Subjects will be instructed to take the alternate zinc starting on day 2 every morning thirty minutes prior to having their regular breakfast and to record their breakfast in their breakfast log daily. They will take the given zinc for thirteen days (days 2-14).
Visit 4: (Week 6, Day 15): The participants will come to Morgan Hall after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a final fourth blood sample. The subjects' breakfast logs will be collected at this time and their participation in the study will be completed.
Study diets:
Study subjects will receive a total of 26 days of zinc (13 days of one form prior to the washout period, and then 13 of the alternate form after). They will be provided with 13 days of zinc 30 mg zinc, as zinc gluconate, and 30 mg zinc, as a zinc amino acid complex, per day. They will be randomly assigned to which form of zinc they will take for the first two weeks, taking either zinc gluconate or zinc amino acid in a fasted state. All participants will be asked to take the zinc in the fasted state at least 30 minutes before their breakfast meal. The men will log their breakfast foods, the amounts consumed, and the time they ate breakfast every day. They will be asked to maintain a steady dietary pattern over the course of the two weeks as well as maintain a steady physical activity routine.
Fasting:
No food is allowed for an 8-hour period before any of the 4 visits requiring blood sampling. Water can and should be consumed during the fast to maintain hydration and to facilitate blood collection. Any other beverages besides water are not to be consumed during the fasting period.
Blood samples (week 1, day 1; week 2, day 15; week 5, day 1; week 6, day 15.) Participants will provide a total of 4 blood samples during the study. The blood sample will be drawn by inserting a needle into a vein in their arm. Each sample will be approximately 15 ml (or 1 tablespoon); a total of 60 ml (about 1/4 cup) will be drawn for the whole study.
Laboratory analysis of samples. Blood samples will be analyzed for their total zinc content by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and for FADS1 activity index along with other fatty acids by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Being tested
- 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 days, 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 days
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 daysDietary supplement
A 30 mg zinc amino acid supplement is taken p.o. in the fasted state for 13 days.
30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 daysDietary supplement
A 30 mg zinc gluconate supplement is taken p.o. in the fasted state for 13 days.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc Amino Acid | Experimental | The zinc in the supplement is complexed with the amino acids lysine and glutamate. Receives: Dietary Supplement: 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 days |
| Zinc Gluconate | Experimental | The zinc in the supplement is complexed with gluconate. Receives: Dietary Supplement: 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 days |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
FADS1 activity index
The molar ratio (unitless) of arachidonic acid to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, i.e., fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) product to precursor.
Measured: Day 1 (baseline 1), day 15 (endpoint 1), day 29 (baseline 2), day 43 (endpoint 2)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Fasted plasma zinc concentration
The concentration of zinc in blood plasma (mg/dL) sampled following an overnight fast
Measured: Day 1 (baseline 1), day 15 (endpoint 1), day 29 (baseline 2), day 43 (endpoint 2)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Apr 2024
- Study start22 Jan 2024
- Primary completion12 Nov 2024
- Study completion30 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Response of Fatty Acid Desaturation to Zinc IntakeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Participants will take the first zinc supplement for two weeks, followed by a two-week washout period, and then take the second zinc supplement for two weeks. The order of whether the first supplement is the zinc amino acid complex, or zinc gluconate, will be randomized.
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Berkeley
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06348056
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022-07-15499
- Status last verified
- Apr 2024
- First submitted
- 29 Mar 2024
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: De-identified data on FADS1 activity index and plasma zinc concentration will be made available upon request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Comparison of the Metabolic Effects of Zinc-Amino Acid (ZnAA) Versus Zinc Gluconate Given in a Fasted State
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06348056
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2022-07-15499
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, BerkeleyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 22 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Food consumption affects zinc metabolism within the body. Lowe and colleagues demonstrated that zinc is directed out of plasma and into tissues, such as into the liver, postprandially . It is likely that zinc absorbed with a meal is directed to the liver via the portal circulation whereas that zinc taken in the fasted state is more readily directed to peripheral blood plasma. Zinc taken with food is more likely to be bound to components of the food matrix and, therefore, it is not absorbed as efficiently by Zip4 ionic zinc transporters in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Some of the zinc in the food matrix may, however, be co-absorbed with amino acids over the whole length of the small intestine . Co-absorption of zinc with amino acids may explain the greater effects of zinc taken with food on omega-6 fatty acid desaturation . The investigators propose that this effect may be maximized by providing supplemental zinc complexed with amino acids. Since the zinc amino acid complex likely mimics the absorption and retention of zinc bound to protein in food, the investigators further propose that zinc, bound to amino acids taken in the fasted state will be directed into the cellular compartments more efficiently than zinc associated with gluconate.
The primary aim in this study is to determine whether providing a zinc amino acid complex has a greater effect on indices of essential fatty acid desaturation compared with zinc gluconate when the zinc complexes are taken in the fasting state.
The investigators hypothesize that taking a zinc amino acid (Zn-AA) complex in a fasted state daily for two weeks has a greater effect on the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) activity compared with zinc gluconate. Also, if the uptake of ionic zinc gluconate into cellular compartments is reduced in comparison to Zn-AA because the zinc gluconate is retained in the plasma, two weeks of a daily zinc gluconate will have a greater effect on fasting plasma zinc concentrations compared to a Zn- AA complex.
Detailed description
Once the informed consent is obtained and the schedule is set with the participant, the participant will pick up their zinc bottle they will consume for the first two weeks and will start the study on the scheduled date.
Visit 1 (Week 1, Day 1): The participants will come to Morgan Hall fasting for their first blood draw visit. They will come to the clinic after an 8-hour fast and we will collect a blood sample. They will be instructed to take their zinc starting on day 2 every morning thirty minutes prior to having their regular breakfast and to write what they eat for breakfast in their breakfast log daily. They will take the given zinc for thirteen days (days 2-14).
Visit 2 (Week 2, Day 15): The participants will come to Morgan Hall after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a second blood sample. Subjects will then be given instructions for visits three and four which will take place two weeks later to allow for a washout period between the crossover studies.
Visit 3 (Week 5, Day 1): The participants will come to Morgan Hall fasting for their third blood draw visit. They will come to the clinic after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a blood sample. Subjects will be instructed to take the alternate zinc starting on day 2 every morning thirty minutes prior to having their regular breakfast and to record their breakfast in their breakfast log daily. They will take the given zinc for thirteen days (days 2-14).
Visit 4: (Week 6, Day 15): The participants will come to Morgan Hall after an 8-hour fast and the investigators will collect a final fourth blood sample. The subjects' breakfast logs will be collected at this time and their participation in the study will be completed.
Study diets:
Study subjects will receive a total of 26 days of zinc (13 days of one form prior to the washout period, and then 13 of the alternate form after). They will be provided with 13 days of zinc 30 mg zinc, as zinc gluconate, and 30 mg zinc, as a zinc amino acid complex, per day. They will be randomly assigned to which form of zinc they will take for the first two weeks, taking either zinc gluconate or zinc amino acid in a fasted state. All participants will be asked to take the zinc in the fasted state at least 30 minutes before their breakfast meal. The men will log their breakfast foods, the amounts consumed, and the time they ate breakfast every day. They will be asked to maintain a steady dietary pattern over the course of the two weeks as well as maintain a steady physical activity routine.
Fasting:
No food is allowed for an 8-hour period before any of the 4 visits requiring blood sampling. Water can and should be consumed during the fast to maintain hydration and to facilitate blood collection. Any other beverages besides water are not to be consumed during the fasting period.
Blood samples (week 1, day 1; week 2, day 15; week 5, day 1; week 6, day 15.) Participants will provide a total of 4 blood samples during the study. The blood sample will be drawn by inserting a needle into a vein in their arm. Each sample will be approximately 15 ml (or 1 tablespoon); a total of 60 ml (about 1/4 cup) will be drawn for the whole study.
Laboratory analysis of samples. Blood samples will be analyzed for their total zinc content by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and for FADS1 activity index along with other fatty acids by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will take the first zinc supplement for two weeks, followed by a two-week washout period, and then take the second zinc supplement for two weeks. The order of whether the first supplement is the zinc amino acid complex, or zinc gluconate, will be randomized.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc Amino Acid | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 daysThe zinc in the supplement is complexed with the amino acids lysine and glutamate. |
| Zinc Gluconate | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 daysThe zinc in the supplement is complexed with gluconate. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Apparently healthy men (i.e., have no current health issues requiring medications or a specific diet)
- 18 to 50 years of age
- Body mass index between 18 and 30 kg/m2
- Willing to take zinc supplements provided by the study for a total of four weeks
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of heart disease, any inflammatory disorder including inflammatory bowel syndrome or arthritis, or any cancer treatment, or previously diagnosed with HIV
- Smoking or alcohol abuse, use of illicit drugs
- Any contraindication to venipuncture such as bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners
- Those taking vitamins or supplements including minerals and omega oils, who cannot agree to stop taking the supplements two weeks prior to the study and for the duration of the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 daysA 30 mg zinc amino acid supplement is taken p.o. in the fasted state for 13 days. | Dietary supplement | Zinc Amino Acid |
| 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 daysA 30 mg zinc gluconate supplement is taken p.o. in the fasted state for 13 days. | Dietary supplement | Zinc Gluconate |
Primary outcome
FADS1 activity index
Time frame: Day 1 (baseline 1), day 15 (endpoint 1), day 29 (baseline 2), day 43 (endpoint 2)
The molar ratio (unitless) of arachidonic acid to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, i.e., fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) product to precursor.
1 secondary outcome
Fasted plasma zinc concentration
Time frame: Day 1 (baseline 1), day 15 (endpoint 1), day 29 (baseline 2), day 43 (endpoint 2)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. De-identified data on FADS1 activity index and plasma zinc concentration will be made available upon request.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing 30 mg Zn Amino Acid daily for 13 days and 30 mg Zn Gluconate daily for 13 days in people with Response of Fatty Acid Desaturation to Zinc Intake, run by University of California, Berkeley at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
FADS1 activity index (time frame: Day 1 (baseline 1), day 15 (endpoint 1), day 29 (baseline 2), day 43 (endpoint 2)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Sep 2026.