METAL BLOG: ZINC

Introduction:

 

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Background:

 

 

Where is Zinc found?

  • Food
    • Meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy, eggs, whole grains

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  • Water
    • Can be found in rusty pipes where water travels towards the house

 

  • Occupations
    • Local or international careers such as zinc mining, welding, etc.
    • Zinc manufactures:
      • Zinc can be used to make supplements by pharmaceutical companies
      • Zinc can be manufactured as a source of power in batteries
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  • Mechanism of Action:(4)
    • Zinc has three primary biological roles: Catalytic, Structural, and Regulatory
    • Zinc promotes resistance to epithelial apoptosis through cell protection
      • In HL-60 cells (promyelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc enhances the up-regulation of A20 mRNA, which, via TRAF pathway
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      •  zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity and enterocyte brush-border enzyme activity, it promotes the production of antibodies and circulating lymphocytes against intestinal pathogens
  • Structural: (5)
    • Plays a role in DNA recognition, RNA packaging, transcriptional activation, regulation of apoptosis, protein folding and assembly, and lipid binding.

 

  • Toxicokinectics:

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    • Absorption:
      • First it is absorbed in the GI-Tract by the small intestine and later excreted in feces.
    • Distribution:
      • This image will illustrate the distribution of Zinc within the body
    • Metabolism:
      • Zinc is an essential component of a large number (>300) of enzymes participating in the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids as well as in the metabolism of other micronutrients.(6)
    • Excretion: 
      • Zinc is absorbed predominantly in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, and excreted mainly in the feces. There are no body stores of zinc and so daily intake of zinc is needed to maintain adequate body levels.(7)
  • Toxicity 
    • Signs & Symptoms, Deficiency
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      • Target Organs for Zinc excess: brain, respiratory tract, GI tract, prostate, and systemic impacts
      • Target Organs for Zinc deficiency: brain, thymus, skin, reproductive system
  • Historical Exposure:
    • No historical exposure
    • Recently has been out of stock in many pharmacy due to COVID-19.
    • Recent articles illustrated that Zinc could increase the immune system to combat COVID-19
    • According to the World Health Organization, in total, 1.4% (0.8 million) of deaths worldwide were attributable to zinc deficiency: 1.4% in males and 1.5% in females(8)
  • References:

 

  1. Pappas, S. (2015, January 21). Facts About Zinc. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/29378-zinc.html
  2. Plum, Laura M et al. “The essential toxin: impact of zinc on human health.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 7,4 (2010): 1342-65. doi:10.3390/ijerph7041342
  3. “Office of Dietary Supplements – Zinc.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/.
  4. Zinc. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01593
  5. “Zinc Metabolism.” Zinc Metabolism – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/zinc-metabolism.
  6. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/y2809e/y2809e0m.htm#bm22.1
  7. Willacy, H. (2019, April 26). Zinc Deficiency, Excess and Supplementation. Zinc problems. Retrieved from https://patient.info/doctor/zinc-deficiency-excess-and-supplementation-pro
  8. Chapter 4. (2010, November 2). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/whr/2002/chapter4/en/index3.html#:~:text=In total, 1.4% (0.8,loss of healthy life years.