Zinc: The Metal of Life

Abstract

The importance of zinc was 1st reported for Aspergillus niger. It took over 75 y to realize that zinc is also an essential trace element for rats, and an additional 30 y went by before it was recognized that this was also true for humans. The adult body contains about 2 to 3 g of zinc. Zinc is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells. It is essential for many physiological functions and plays a significant role in a number of enzyme actions in the living systems. Bioinformatics estimates report that 10% of the human proteome contains zinc-binding sites. Based on its role in such a plethora of cellular components, zinc has diverse biological functions from enzymatic catalysis to playing a crucial role in cellular neuronal systems. Thus, based on the various published studies and reports, it is pertinent to state that zinc is one of the most important essential trace metals in human nutrition and lifestyle. Its deficiency may severely affect the homeostasis of a biological system. This review compiles the role of zinc in prophylaxis/therapeutics and provides current information about its effect on living beings.

Low serum zinc level: The relationship with severe pneumonia and survival in critically ill children

“…Zinc is an essential trace element, which plays an important role in many important biological functions. These include mucosal barrier function, innate and adaptive immunity, oxidative stress responses and a cofactor for various enzymes . Trace elements, especially zinc is a cornerstone of the antioxidant defence in acute systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).…”

Comparison of Mineral Element Content in a Functional Food Maca (Lepidium meyeniiWalp.) from Asia and South America

“…Zinc is essential for a number of physiological functions and plays a significant role in many enzyme actions in the living systems [25]. Zn contents in samples were found to be 19–39 mg kg −1  dw from China and 27–39 mg kg −1  dw from Peru, which were in accordance with the values for maca in literature available (25–89 mg kg −1  dw from China and 16–58 mg kg −1  dw from Peru) [10, 11, 13, 18–22].…”

The protective roles of zinc and estradiol in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in ovariectomized rats

“…In our study, the nitrite and MDA levels decreased in IRI+Es+Zn group insignificantly compared to the IRI+Zn group. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Zn stabilize the cellular membrane and inhibit inflammation factors production by special mechanisms (22,23). The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) play an important role in renal dysfunction of IRI via ROS generation (24).…”