Zinc deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases. This narrative review aims at presenting and discussing functional aspects and possible mechanisms involved in the potential role of zinc in the immune response and antiviral activity for COVID-19 prevention and control. The searches were conducted in PubMed and Science Direct databases, using clinical trials, experimental studies in animals and humans, case-control studies, case series, letters to the editor, and review articles published in English, without restrictions on year of publication. Search approach was based on using the terms: “zinc”, “COVID-19”, “antiviral agents”, “immunologic factors”, and “respiratory tract infections”. Literature shows the importance of zinc as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body. Thus, although there is still a scarcity of studies evaluating zinc supplementation in patients with COVID-19, the results on the topic show the necessity of controlling zinc mineral deficiency, as well as maintaining its homeostasis in the body in order to strengthen the immune system and improve the prevention of highly-complex viral infections, such as that of the COVID-19.
Adipose tissue is a metabolically dynamic organ that is the primary site of storage for excess energy, but it serves as an endocrine organ capable of synthesizing a number of biologically active compounds that regulate metabolic homeostasis. However, when the capacity of expansion of this tissue is exceeded, dysfunction occurs, favoring ectopic accumulation of fat in the visceral, which has been implicated in several disease states, most notably obesity. This review highlights the mechanisms involved in the structure of adipose tissue, tissue expandability, adipocyte dysfunction, as well as the impact of these events on the manifestation of important metabolic disorders associated with adipose tissue dysfunction. A literature search using Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were used to identify relevant studies, using clinical trials, experimental studies in animals and humans, case-control studies, case series, letters to the editor, and review articles published in English, without restrictions on year of publication.. The excessive ectopic lipid accumulation leads to local inflammation and insulin resistance. Indeed, overnutrition triggers uncontrolled inflammatory responses white adipose tissue, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation, therefore fostering the progression of important metabolic disorders. Thus, it is essential to advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in adipose tissue dysfunction in order to mitigate the negative metabolic consequences of obesity.
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