Zinc: The Biology and Therapeutics of an Ion

Editorials15 July 1996Zinc: The Biology and Therapeutics of an IonAnanda S. Prasad, MD, PhDAnanda S. Prasad, MD, PhDWayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-125-2-199607150-00012 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Although the role of zinc in the growth of microorganisms, plants, and animals was well established many decades ago, its role in humans was first recognized only in 1963 [1]. Our studies from the Middle East showed, for the first time, that zinc deficiency occurs in humans [1]. In 1974, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences [2] made a landmark decision to establish a recommended dietary allowance for zinc as an essential element for humans.The clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency in humans include growth retardation, male hypogonadism, skin changes, ...References1. Prasad AS, Miale A, Farid Z, Schulert A, Sandstead HH. Zinc metabolism in patients with the syndrome of iron deficiency anemia, hypogonadism, and dwarfism. J Lab Clin Med. 1963; 61:537-49. Google Scholar2. National Research Council. Committee on Dietary Allowances. Recommended Dietary Allowances. 8th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1974:99-101. Google Scholar3. Prasad AS. Discovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in an experimental human model. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991; 53:403-12. Google Scholar4. Prasad AS. Clinical spectrum of human zinc deficiency. In: Prasad AS, ed. Biochemistry of Zinc. New York: Plenum; 1993:219-58. Google Scholar5. Prasad AS. Zinc: an overview. Nutrition. 1995; 11:93-9. Google Scholar6. Prasad AS. Zinc deficiency in women, infants and children. J Am Coll Nutr. 1996; 15:113-20. Google Scholar7. Ninh NX, Thissen J, Collette L, Gerard G, Khoi HH, Ketelslegers J. Zinc supplementation increases growth and circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in growth retarded Vietnamese children. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996; 63:514-9. Google Scholar8. Yokoi K, Alcock NW, Sandstead HH. Iron and zinc nutriture of premenopausal women: associations of diet with serum ferritin and plasma zinc disappearance and of serum ferritin with plasma zinc and plasma zinc disappearance. J Lab Clin Med. 1994; 124:852-61. Google Scholar9. Sazawal S, Black RE, Bhan MK, Bhandari N, Sinha A, Jalla S. Zinc supplementation in young children with acute diarrhea in India. N Engl J Med. 1995; 333:839-44. Google Scholar10. Prasad AS. Zinc and enzymes. In: Prasad AS, ed. Biochemistry of Zinc. New York: Plenum; 1993:17-53. Google Scholar11. Prasad AS, Beck FW, Endre L, Wenonah H, Kukuruga M, Kumar G. Zinc deficiency affects cell cycle and deoxythymidine kinase gene expression in HUT-78 cells. J Lab Clin Med. 1996; [In press]. Google Scholar12. Berg JM, Shi Y. The galvanization of biology: a growing appreciation for the roles of zinc. Science. 1996; 271:1081-5. Google Scholar13. Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Mason P. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ann Intern Med. 1996; 125:81-8. Google Scholar14. Korant BD, Butterworth BE. Inhibition by zinc of rhinovirus protein cleavage: interaction of zinc with capsid polypeptides. J Virol. 1976; 18:298-306. Google Scholar15. Prasad AS, Meftah S, Abdallah J, Kaplan J, Brewer GJ, Bach JF, et al. Serum thymulin in human zinc deficiency. J Clin Invest. 1988; 82:1202-10. Google Scholar16. Brewer GS, Brewer LF, Prasad AS. Suppression of irreversibly sickled erythrocytes by zinc therapy in sickle cell anemia. J Lab Clin Med. 1979; 90:549-54. Google Scholar17. Brewer GJ, Bereza UL. Therapy of sickle cell anemia with membrane expander/calmodulin inhibitor classes of drugs In: Prasad AS, ed. Clinical, Biochemical, and Nutritional Aspects of Trace Elements. New York: Liss; 1982:211-20. Google Scholar18. Prasad AS, Brewer GJ, Schoomaker EB, Rabbani P. Hypocupremia induced by zinc therapy in adults. JAMA. 1978; 240:2166-8. Google Scholar19. Brewer GJ, Hill GM, Prasad AS, Cossack ZT, Rabbani P. Oral zinc therapy for Wilson's disease. Ann Intern Med. 1983; 99:314-20. Google Scholar20. Brewer GJ, Hill GM, Dick RD, Nostrant TT, Sams JS, Wells JJ, et al. Treatment of Wilson's disease with zinc: Ill. Prevention of reaccumulation of hepatic copper. J Lab Clin Med. 1987; 109:526-31. Google Scholar21. Chandra RK. Excessive intake of zinc impairs immune response. JAMA. 1984; 252:1443-6. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Ananda S. Prasad, MD, PhDAffiliations: Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201Corresponding Author: Ananda S. Prasad, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University Health Center, 5C, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoZinc Gluconate Lozenges for Treating the Common Cold Sherif B. Mossad , Michael L. Macknin , Sharon V. Mendendorp , and Pamela Mason Metrics Cited byEffect of ferric ions on surface sulfidization of hemimorphite and implications for xanthate adsorptionInteraction mechanism of Fe3+ with smithsonite surfaces and its response to flotation performanceZinc role in Covid-19 disease and preventionZinc role in Covid-19 disease and preventionUnderstanding the Water-in-Salt to Salt-in-Water Characteristics across the Zinc Chloride : Water Phase DiagramDifferential Aquaporin Response to Distinct Effects of Two Zn Concentrations after Foliar Application in Pak Choi (Brassica rapa L.) PlantsSynthetic bone graft substitutes: Calcium-based biomaterialsEffects of dietary Zn-methionine supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and serum parameters of laying hensMulti‐Readout Logic Gate for the Selective Detection of Metal Ions at the Parts Per Billion LevelCrystalline and Liquid Structure of Zinc Chloride Trihydrate: A Unique Ionic LiquidPyrimidine-based fluorescent zinc sensor: Photo-physical characteristics, quantum chemical interpretation and application in real samplesAn efficient, Schiff-base derivative for selective fluorescence sensing of Zn 2+ ions: quantum chemical calculation appended by real sample application and cell imaging studyPolyaromatic label-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LA-LDI MS): a new analytical technique for selective detection of zinc ionFunctional studies of Drosophilazinc transporters reveal the mechanism for dietary zinc absorption and regulationTopical 15% Zinc Sulfate Solution Is an Effective Therapy for Feet OdorQuantitative analysis of zinc in rat hippocampal mossy fibers by nuclear microscopyDietary Intake and Serum and Hair Concentrations of Minerals and their Relationship with Serum Lipids and Glucose Levels in Hypertensive and Obese Patients with Insulin ResistanceOver-expression of ZnT7 increases insulin synthesis and secretion in pancreatic β-cells by promoting insulin gene transcriptionDirect intra-tumoral injection of zinc-acetate halts tumor growth in a xenograft model of prostate cancerThe ubiquitous role of zinc in health and diseaseThe influence of the microstructure of high noble gold-platinum dental alloys on their corrosion and biocompatibility in vitroAge-Related Macular DegenerationANEMIAS AND CYTOPENIASA Combination of Zinc and Pyridoxine Supplementation to the Diet of Laying Hens Improves Performance and Egg QualityMinerals and Food IntakeZnt7 (Slc30a7)-deficient Mice Display Reduced Body Zinc Status and Body Fat AccumulationZinc Modulation of Water Permeability Reveals that Aquaporin 0 Functions as a Cooperative TetramerCorrelation between birth weight, leptin, zinc and copper levels in maternal and cord bloodTailoring tripodal ligands for zinc sensingIntranasal Zinc in the Management of the Common ColdChapter 16 Minerals: functions, requirements, excessive intake and toxicityOxidative stress in viral hepatitis and AIDSEffect of zinc deficiency on the mRNA expression pattern in liver and jejunum of adult rats: monitoring gene expression using cDNA microarrays combined with real-time RT-PCRToxic Effects Associated With Consumption of ZincIn vitro suppression of thymocyte apoptosis by metal-rich complex environmental mixtures: potential role of zinc and cadmium excessA randomized trial of zinc nasal spray for the treatment of upper respiratory illness in adultsNutritional effects of oral zinc supplementation in cirrhosisZinc and the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis RevisitedAmyloid peptide channels: Blockade by zinc and inhibition by Congo red (amyloid channel block)Pathobiochemistry of Zinc Metabolism and Diagnostic Principles in Zinc Deficiency.Zinc May Regulate Serum Leptin Concentrations in HumansEffects of Captopril and Enalapril on Zinc Metabolism in Hypertensive PatientsThe Role of Zinc Lozenges in Treatment of the Common ColdINVOLVEMENT OF INTERLEUKIN-1β IN ZINC DEFICIENCY-INDUCED INTESTINAL DAMAGE AND BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF CYCLOSPORINE AZinc Metabolism in the Brain: Relevance to Human Neurodegenerative DisordersZinc Lozenges as Cure for Common Colds 15 July 1996Volume 125, Issue 2Page: 142-143KeywordsAnemiaCommon coldEnzymesMalnutritionMeatNutritionProteinsSickle cell diseaseTasteZinc ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 July 1996 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...