Zinc and immune function

Abstract

It is well recognized that zinc is an essential trace element, influencing growth and affecting the development and integrity of the immune system. Research has begun to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of zinc on the immune function. It is clear that this trace element has a broad impact on key immunity mediators, such as enzymes, thymic peptides and cytokines, explaining the paramount importance of zinc's status on the regulation of lymphoid cell activation, proliferation and apoptosis. Ongoing and future studies regarding the immunological status of zinc deficiency 'at risk' groups could lead to public health interventions with nutritional doses of zinc supplements to prevent alteration of the immune system and improve resistance to infections.

Zinc status and age-related changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations in healthy men and women aged 55–70 y: the ZENITH study

“…The effects of zinc deficiency on immune function have been reasonably well documented, with substantial effects reported on CMI (Shankar & Prasad, 1998;Fraker et al, 2000;Rink & Gabriel, 2000;Rink & Gabriel, 2001;Ibs & Rink, 2003). Zinc deficiency also results in depressed innate immunity (Keen & Gershwin, 1990;Prasad, 2000;Dardenne, 2002). It is unclear, however, at what point suboptimal zinc status may become deleterious to immune function and consequently health.…”

Zinc supplementation in children and adolescents with acute leukemia

“…34,35 It has been reported, for example, that zinc supplementation attenuates the symptoms of common cold, can accelerate recovery from pneumonia and other bacterial diseases and reduces diarrhea morbidity. 4,5,36 Besides, it is well known that during chemotherapy, a risk for such complications becomes higher, sometimes leading to treatment discontinuation.…”

Importance of zinc in the elderly: the ZENITH study

“…With advancing ageing, there is a progressive decline in immune responses. Changes associated with ageing may be partly related to Zn deficiency, which induce comparable impairment of the immune response (Dardenne, 2003). Several types of immune cells show decreased functionality after Zn depletion; in monocytes, overall functionality is impaired, whereas in natural killer cells, cytotoxicity is decreased, and in neutrophil granulocytes, phagocytosis is reduced (Shankar & Prasad, 1998).…”