Bioavailability, antioxidant and immune‐enhancing properties of zinc methionine

Abstract

Although a large number of transition metals and cations remarkably induce oxidative deterioration of biological macromolecules including lipids, proteins and DNA, the trace element zinc acts as a novel dietary supplement and an essential micronutrient, and serves a wide range of biological functions in human and animal health. Zinc promotes antioxidant and immune functions, stabilizes and maintains the structural integrity of biological membranes, and plays a pivotal role in skin and connective tissue metabolism and repair. Zinc is an integral constituent of a large number of enzymes including antioxidant enzymes, and hormones including glucagon, insulin, growth hormone, and sex hormones. High concentrations of zinc are found in the prostate gland and choroids of the eye. Zinc deficiency leads to biochemical abnormalities including the impairments of growth, dermal, gastrointestinal, neurologic and immunologic systems. Given its superior bioavailability, antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties, zinc methionine may serve as a novel dietary supplement to promote health benefits in humans and animals.

Oxidative stress and metal carcinogenesis

“…Zn is present in all organs and tissues in the form of complexes with over 70 different enzymes involved in the cellular metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Zn not only enhances the action of insulin and manages blood glucose concentration, but also plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of the immune system [204]. In contrast, Zn deficiency causes growth retardation and hypogonadism, loss of appetite, dermatitis, reduced taste acuity, delayed wound healing, impaired reproduction, and poor immune function [205].…”

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Zn2+based on a diarylethene derivative

“…[2][3][4] Free Zn 2+ exist in some tissues, acting as signal transporters for nerve transmission and necrocytosis. 5,6 Micro quantities of zinc are essential with about 2-4 g distributed over the human body, 7,8 but its excess may damage the organism, 9,10 for instance, overmuch Zn 2+ in the body will suppress the ingestion of other essential trace metal ions such as Fe 3+ and Cu 2+ . 11,12 The inconsistency of Zn 2+ concentration with the normal levels in the human body will cause diverse diseases, e.g., diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and so forth.…”

HIF‐1α promotes survival of prostate cells at a high zinc environment

“…Cellular zinc is predominantly complexed with macromolecules, and it supports the activities of numerous zinc containing enzymes and proteins [3]. Zinc is involved in many cellular functions, such as, a cofactor in cupper/zinc containing superoxide dismutase (SOD), insulin storage and release [4], immune response, cell division, and energy metabolism [5,6]. In the prostate, zinc is involved in the production and secretion of citrate via the inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase (m-aconitase).…”