Prognostic value of serum zinc levels in critically ill patients

Zinc deficiency primes the lung for ventilator-induced injury

“…Zinc is an essential micronutrient (34,(40)(41)(42), and its tissue and plasma levels are influenced by dietary intake (38,42). While severe zinc deficiency is rare in the developed world, moderate zinc deficiency is widespread, concentrated in elderly populations (42)(43)(44)(45), and can be exacerbated in critically ill patients (33,(46)(47)(48)(49). We demonstrate that both genetic MT deficiency and dietary zinc deficiency potentiate lung injury in mechanically ventilated mice, consistent with an essential role for the zinc/MT system in protecting the lung from injurious stretch.…”

Hemorrhagic Shock and Surgical Stress Alter Distribution of Labile Zinc Within High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Plasma Fractions

“…In in vivo experiments and clinical studies, it has been shown that a pre-existing deficiency or dietary deprivation of zinc worsens organ injury and prevents or delays recovery [16] [17–20]. In some [21–24], but not all circumstances [11, 25], the magnitude of the decrease is thought to be predictive of further complications and delays in recovery. In some circumstances [9, 26, 27] but not others [13, 27–30] supplementation with zinc may accelerate recovery and mitigate complications.…”

Antioxidants and micronutrient supplementation in trauma patients

“…7, 13 Common clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency include a rash typically seen on the face and gluteal areas, glucose intolerance, abnormal homeostasis, hair loss, altered taste and smell perception, and diarrhea. 23 …”

“…1 Cander et al performed an observational study demonstrating that serum zinc levels are inversely proportional to Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and organ failure. 23 Similarly, critical illness, sepsis, and inflammatory states lead to a decline in serum zinc concentrations adding to the belief that zinc supplementation may be beneficial in critical illness. Besecker and colleagues conducted a prospective observational study of 56 medical ICU patients in which plasma zinc levels, cytokine concentrations, and zinc transporter gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes were measured and correlated with illness severity.…”