Recent studies have focused attention on the possible role of zinc depletion in the pathogenesis of uremic symptoms such as dysgeusia and impotence. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of zinc deficiency and abnormalities of zinc metabolism in patients with end-stage renal disease. A total of 43 stable chronic hemodialysis patients were screened for evidence of zinc deficiency by measurement of fasting predialysis leukocyte and plasma zinc. The results were compared with those from 30 healthy volunteers. Seventeen of these 43 patients had 65Zn absorption measured, and in 9 the rate of disappearance of 65Zn from the body was also measured. The results were compared with those obtained in 20 healthy controls. The nutritional status of these 17 patients was estimated by global nutritional assessment and calculation of the Quetelet index while 9 of 17 had dietary zinc intake calculated from a diet history. The mean plasma zinc level was lower in the hemodialysis patients (11.7 +/- 2.3 mumol/l vs. 13.3 +/- 2.9 mumol/l in controls; p less than 0.05). The mean leukocyte zinc level was 0.81 +/- 0.27 mumol/g dry weight in dialysis patients and 0.81 +/- 0.22 mumol/g in controls (p greater than 0.2). The mean 65Zn absorption in the patients was 49 +/- 14% and in controls 53 +/- 12% (p greater than 0.2). Mean turnover of body 65Zn was 0.47 +/- 0.11%/day in patients and 0.43 +/- 0.18%/day in controls (p greater than 0.1). The mean 65Zn half-life was 154 +/- 29 days in patients and 187 +/- 75 days in controls (p greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)