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Samad N, Sodunke TE, Abubakar AR, Jahan I, Sharma P, Islam S, Dutta S, Haque M. The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:527-550. [PMID: 33679136 PMCID: PMC7930604 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s295377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic from COVID-19 infection has generated significant public health concerns, both health-wise and economically. There is no specific pharmacological antiviral therapeutic option to date available for COVID-19 management. Also, there is an urgent need to discover effective medicines, prevention, and control methods because of the harsh death toll from this novel coronavirus infection. Acute respiratory tract infections, significantly lower respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia are the primary cause of millions of deaths worldwide. The role of micronutrients, including trace elements, boosted the human immune system and was well established. Several vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; microelement including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; omega-3 fatty acids as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plays essential physiological roles in promoting the immune system. Furthermore, zinc is an indispensable microelement essential for a thorough enzymatic physiological process. It also helps regulate gene-transcription such as DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation in the human biological system. Subsequently, zinc, together with natural scavenger cells and neutrophils, are also involved in developing cells responsible for regulating nonspecific immunity. The modern food habit often promotes zinc deficiency; as such, quite a few COVID-19 patients presented to hospitals were frequently diagnosed as zinc deficient. Earlier studies documented that zinc deficiency predisposes patients to a viral infection such as herpes simplex, common cold, hepatitis C, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of reducing antiviral immunity. This manuscript aimed to discuss the various roles played by zinc in the management of COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandeeta Samad
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, 700233, Nigeria
| | - Iffat Jahan
- Department of Physiology, Eastern Medical College, Cumilla, Bangladesh
| | - Paras Sharma
- Department of Pharmacognosy, BVM College of Pharmacy, Gwalior, India
| | - Salequl Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Siddhartha Dutta
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mainul Haque
- The Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ranjbar Z, Zahed M, Ranjbar MA, Shirmardan Z. Comparative study of serum zinc concentration in recurrent herpes labialis patients and healthy individuals. BMC Oral Health 2020; 20:296. [PMID: 33115470 PMCID: PMC7594280 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a common recurrent infective vesiculoulcerative disease. Topical and systemic administration of Zinc compounds has been indicated to have preventive and therapeutic effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum level of zinc in the patients with RHL and healthy individuals and also to investigate the correlation of this level with various parameters of the patient and disease course. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed on 43 patients with a history of recurrent herpers labialis and 42 subjects without any previous experience of the lesion. Blood samples were taken, and serum zinc level was measured using colorimetry (spectrophotometry) method. Chi-Square test was used to compare the qualitative relationships, and for comparing the quantitative relationships, independent T-test was used. To observe the relationship of quantitative factors including serum zinc level, the number of relapses, and recovery rates, correlation test was taken. RESULTS The results show that, serum zinc level has no significant difference between healthy subjects and the patients (p > 0.05). Also, zinc level was not related to age and sex factors and frequency of relapse (p > 0.05). However surprisingly, there was a significant relationship between zinc level and recovery period in the RHL patients. The lower the serum zinc level, the higher the duration of recovery (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that, zinc deficiency can be considered as a risk factor for increasing the duration of herpes labialis lesions. Therefore, the evaluation of serum zinc level in the subjects with RHL and subsequent administration of zinc are recommended in these kind of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ranjbar
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Zahed
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Ranjbar
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Shirmardan
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Junaid K, Ejaz H, Abdalla AE, Abosalif KOA, Ullah MI, Yasmeen H, Younas S, Hamam SSM, Rehman A. Effective Immune Functions of Micronutrients against SARS-CoV-2. Nutrients 2020; 12:E2992. [PMID: 33003648 PMCID: PMC7599934 DOI: 10.3390/nu12102992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades has caused significant damage to the world's economy and community health. The highly contagious COVID-19 infection has affected millions of people to date and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Aside from the highly infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of a treatment or vaccine has been the main reason for its spread. Thus, it has become necessary to find alternative methods for controlling SARS-CoV-2. For the present review, we conducted an online search for different available nutrition-based therapies for previously known coronavirus infections and RNA-based virus infections as well as general antiviral therapies. These treatments have promise for combating COVID-19, as various nutrients and minerals play direct and indirect roles in the control and prevention of this newly emerged viral infection. The patients' nutritional status with COVID-19 must be analyzed before administering any treatment, and nutritional supplements should be given to the affected individuals along with routine treatment. We suggest a potential interventional role of nutrients to strengthen the immune system against the emerging infection caused by COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashaf Junaid
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia; (H.E.); (A.E.A.); (K.O.A.A.); (M.I.U.)
| | - Hasan Ejaz
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia; (H.E.); (A.E.A.); (K.O.A.A.); (M.I.U.)
| | - Abualgasim Elgaili Abdalla
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia; (H.E.); (A.E.A.); (K.O.A.A.); (M.I.U.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman 14415, Sudan
| | - Khalid O. A. Abosalif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia; (H.E.); (A.E.A.); (K.O.A.A.); (M.I.U.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman 14415, Sudan
| | - Muhammad Ikram Ullah
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia; (H.E.); (A.E.A.); (K.O.A.A.); (M.I.U.)
| | - Humaira Yasmeen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Women University Multan, Multan 60000, Pakistan;
| | - Sonia Younas
- Department of Pathology, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Kamoke, District Gujranwala, Kamoke 50661, Pakistan;
| | - Sanaa S. M. Hamam
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-koom 32511, Egypt;
- Department of Microbiology, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
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Tamer F, Yuksel ME, Karabag Y. Pre-treatment vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, and vitamin D serum levels in patients with warts: a retrospective study. Croat Med J 2020. [PMID: 32118375 PMCID: PMC7063548 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2020.61.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To compare the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, and thyroid stimulating hormone between patients with warts and healthy individuals. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 40 patients with warts and 40 healthy individuals treated at the Ufuk University Hospital, Ankara, between July and December 2017. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, and thyroid stimulating hormone status were evaluated retrospectively. Results Participants with and without warts had similar mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, folate, zinc, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels. However, patients with warts had significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 level (P = 0.010). Patients with warts non-significantly more frequently had decreased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, and folate (P = 0.330, P = 0.200, P = 0.070, respectively). Conclusion Patients with warts may require evaluation of serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, and vitamin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funda Tamer
- Funda Tamer, Gazi Universitesi Tıp Fakultesi, Mevlana Bulvari, No: 29, 06560 Ankara, Turkey,
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Read SA, Obeid S, Ahlenstiel C, Ahlenstiel G. The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Adv Nutr 2019; 10:696-710. [PMID: 31305906 PMCID: PMC6628855 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace element that is crucial for growth, development, and the maintenance of immune function. Its influence reaches all organs and cell types, representing an integral component of approximately 10% of the human proteome, and encompassing hundreds of key enzymes and transcription factors. Zinc deficiency is strikingly common, affecting up to a quarter of the population in developing countries, but also affecting distinct populations in the developed world as a result of lifestyle, age, and disease-mediated factors. Consequently, zinc status is a critical factor that can influence antiviral immunity, particularly as zinc-deficient populations are often most at risk of acquiring viral infections such as HIV or hepatitis C virus. This review summarizes current basic science and clinical evidence examining zinc as a direct antiviral, as well as a stimulant of antiviral immunity. An abundance of evidence has accumulated over the past 50 y to demonstrate the antiviral activity of zinc against a variety of viruses, and via numerous mechanisms. The therapeutic use of zinc for viral infections such as herpes simplex virus and the common cold has stemmed from these findings; however, there remains much to be learned regarding the antiviral mechanisms and clinical benefit of zinc supplementation as a preventative and therapeutic treatment for viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Read
- Blacktown Medical School, Western Sydney University, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Obeid
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chantelle Ahlenstiel
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Golo Ahlenstiel
- Blacktown Medical School, Western Sydney University, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
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Thappa DM, Chiramel MJ. Evolving role of immunotherapy in the treatment of refractory warts. Indian Dermatol Online J 2016; 7:364-370. [PMID: 27730031 PMCID: PMC5038096 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.190487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous and genital warts are common dermatological conditions caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Although it is a benign condition, it causes disfigurement, has a tendency to koebnerize, and can be transmitted to others. This makes adequate and timely treatment important. There are several conventional treatments available with variable response. Topical and systemic immunotherapy has now found a significant place in the treatment of warts because of its nondestructive action, ease of use, and promising results. Through this review, we would like to present a brief overview of the various immunotherapeutic agents used. These include more established agents such as imiquimod, Mycobacterium w vaccine, bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, Candida antigen, trichophyton antigen, tuberculin, zinc, cimetidine, levamisole, HPV vaccine, and autoimplantation therapy. Other agents such as contact immunotherapy which is sparsely used now than before and newer agents such as Corynebacterium parvum, sinecatechins, echinacea, propolis, glycyrrizinic acid, and Vitamin D have also been discussed. The mechanism of action of these agents, along with their dosage, mode of administration, duration of use, expected outcomes and comparative efficacy, evidence for their use, and expected side effects, if any, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devinder M Thappa
- Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Minu J Chiramel
- Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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