Possible relationship between poor skin disorders prognosis and serum zinc level: A narrative review

Abstract

Zinc is a trace nutrient essential for the normal growth and development of human body. The main aim was to evaluate the significant association between measured zinc status in relation to different skin disorders and their severity. PubMed®, Google® Scholar™ and Cochrane© Reviews databases were searched for studies from January 2017 to June 2021, using the terms; zinc serum levels, zinc plasma levels and different dermatosis in the review, only human studies in English language were reviewed and the studies designs were controlled, cross sectional, observational and analytic types. A total of forty-eight research studies were included in this review. All studies have evaluated serum zinc in skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis alba, androgenetic alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, vitiligo, melasma, acne, seborrheic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppuritiva. It was found that 33 studies had validated statistically significant differences in serum zinc levels between patients and controls. There is a predominance of low serum zinc levels in all the dermatoses reviewed. The clinical significance of this finding highlights the possible value, and need to investigate, the use of Zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases proven to manifest altered zinc levels.

Analysis of Isotretinoin-Induced Alterations in the Levels of Plasma Trace Elements: Investigation of the Relationship Between Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, and Treatment-Related Side Effects

“…This observed rise in plasma Zn levels can reasonably be attributed to the stimulation of MTs by ITR, thereby promoting the release of Zn into the bloodstream. There are only several studies supporting the effectiveness of oral Zn supplementation in reducing AV severity and sebum secretion [29,35]. In light of these supportive findings and the distinctive outcomes of this study, it is plausible to suggest that ITR reduces AV symptoms by increasing plasma Zn levels through the stimulation of MTs.…”

“…However, the existing literature presents conflicting results. Notably, four studies have suggested significant differences in serum Zn levels between individuals with AV and healthy [11,[29][30][31]. Conversely, a controlled study encompassing a cohort of 200 patients failed to establish any substantial correlation between Zn levels and the occurrence or severity of AV [32].…”