Genetic Polymorphisms and Zinc Status: Implications for Supplementation in Metabolic Diseases

Abstract

Background: Zinc is an essential component for all living organisms, representing the second most abundant trace element, after iron. This element is widely distributed in the tissues of human body where it is involved in the normal growth, reproduction and several biological functions including immunity, energy metabolism and antioxidant processes. Because of its essential role, zinc levels in human body must remain constant, independently of dietary intake fluctuations. The homeostasis of zinc is a well-regulated cellular process and has been reported to be chiefly mediated by the expression and activity of zinc-binding proteins such as metallothioneins and zinc transporters. Genes encoding for these proteins are subjected to genetic variants. Methods: We performed a multi-database electronic search to provide an overview on the relationship between specific polymorphisms (SNP) of genes encoding for metallothioneins and zinc transporters and their relationship with zinc status, immune function and some non-communicable diseases. Results: A number of SNP are implicated in a range of metabolic disease. Some SNP may affect the impact of zinc supplementation on immune function, diabetes, obesity. Conclusion: New studies are needed to clarify the interaction between individual genetic profile and zinc status. Moreover, there is a need to a better interaction between the scientific bodies and health professionals to allow better dietary and behavioural recommendations to promote human health, with particular concern to elderly people.

Development of Therapeutic and Prophylactic Zinc Compositions for Use against COVID-19: A Glimpse of the Trends, Inventions, and Patents

“…Zinc, a brittle and silver/grey metal in its unoxidized form, is represented by the symbol Zn (atomic number 30); it is the second most abundant metal in the human body, after iron [ 21 ]. Zinc is an essential nutrient because it is needed in almost all aspects of cellular/biological processes (i.e., catalytic functions, structural functions, and regulatory functions) of the human body [ 22 ].…”

Genetic Aspects of Micronutrients Important for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Several genetic variants in zinc transporters and MTs have been associated with type 2 diabetes/impaired glucose regulation ( SLC30A8 rs13266634 and rs11558471), chronic diseases associated with aging ( MT2A rs10636 and rs1610216), and cognitive performance ( SLC30A3 rs73924411) [ 130 ]. Moreover, it has been shown that SLC30A8 variants are good candidates for modifying zinc requirements [ 142 , 143 , 144 ].…”

The role of cation diffusion facilitator CDF-1 in lipid metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Several studies have shown that the expression of ZnT genes and disturbed zinc metabolism are associated with obesity and diabetes ( Quraishi et al 2005 ; Noh et al 2014 ; Morais et al 2019 ). The polymorphisms (SNPs) of ZnT8 have been connected with type 1 ( Xu et al 2011 ; Wenzlau and Hutton 2013 ) and type 2 diabetes ( Rutter and Chimienti 2015 ; Drake et al 2017 ; Virgili et al 2018 ). ZnT5 is also involved in metabolic diseases ( Cuadrado et al 2018 ).…”