Final answer:
Metallothionein is a protein that regulates zinc ions in the body. When zinc status is low, metallothionein levels increase to bind and store zinc. Measuring metallothionein levels can indicate a person's zinc status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metallothionein can indicate zinc (Zn) status because it is a protein that is involved in the regulation of zinc ions in the body. When the body is deficient in zinc, metallothionein levels increase in order to bind and store zinc. Conversely, when the body has sufficient zinc, metallothionein levels decrease.
Since zinc is a trace mineral that functions as a co-enzyme, facilitating the synthesis of the heme portion of hemoglobin, its presence is crucial. The ability of metallothionein to bind zinc tightly makes it a good biomarker for assessing the zinc status of an individual or population.
For example, a study found that when rats were fed a zinc-deficient diet, the metallothionein levels in their liver increased significantly. This indicated that their zinc status was low. On the other hand, rats fed a zinc-rich diet showed decreased metallothionein levels, indicating adequate zinc status. Therefore, measuring metallothionein levels can provide information about a person's zinc status.