Effect of Zinc Upon Human and Murine Cell Viability and Differentiation

Abstract

Most zinc studies show its benefits or changes that coincide with its deficiency, but some have reported damages by supplements. In this work, the effects of zinc in different cell lines (U-937, human monocytes, and murine bone marrow cells) were analyzed. The cells were put in their specific culture medium either alone or with a stimulant [1-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for U-937 and monocytes, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for bone marrow cells]. These preparations, with or without zinc (0.05 to 1.0 mM), were incubated and microscopically analyzed on days 3, 9, and 11. The viability of all cells cultivated with 0.05 and 0.1 mM of zinc was similar to that of the controls without zinc (90%). With 1.0 mM of zinc, the viability diminished (p < 0.005) to 80% in U-937 and to 50% in monocytes and bone marrow cells; the number of cells increased in the three lines, but there was no differentiation. We conclude that the effects observed with different doses of zinc vary not only among the different species but also according to the time the cells were exposed to the metal. The same doses of zinc can have either a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect.

Zinc Promotes Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation towards a Neuronal Fate

“…These findings confirmed our hypothesis that moderate doses (30–100 μ Μ) of zinc promoted proliferation through ERK1/2 activation. These results are in agreement with previous studies by Vega-Robledo et al [ 30 ], demonstrating that zinc acts as a sort of double-edged sword with respect to cell viability in various cell types. Even though the concentration-dependent effects on cell viability were different for each cell type and passage number, the evidence outlined above further confirmed that zinc is a pivotal element in cell growth and proliferation.…”

The Role of Zinc and Zinc Homeostasis in Macrophage Function

“…In addition, zinc-depleted monocytes have increased maturation, suggesting that low zinc status promotes their differentiation into macrophages [64]. High concentrations of zinc were found to decrease the viability of a human monocyte cell line and U-937 cells [65]. Moreover, another study confirmed that cell viability is significantly decreased in THP-1 monocytes/macrophages upon exposure to 100 μ g/ml of ZnO (zinc oxide) particles.…”

Zinc increases the phagocytic capacity of canine peripheral blood phagocytes in vitro

“…The beneficial effect of zinc on immune system has been widely documented. However, the direct effects on cell functions are controversial because an inhibitory effect of zinc on immune cells has been also reported (Chvapil et al 1977;Vega-Robledo et al 2007). Moreover, recent reports have warranted even that zinc supplementation may result in detrimental influences to host.…”

“…Moreover, recent reports have warranted even that zinc supplementation may result in detrimental influences to host. It has been reported that treatment with zinc can have an inhibitory effect on the viability and differentiation of human monocytes and murine bone marrow macrophages (Vega-Robledo et al 2007), and that excessive intake of zinc may trigger suicidal death of circulating erythrocytes, leading to development of anemia (Kiedaisch et al 2008).…”