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Jin D, Wei X, He Y, Zhong L, Lu H, Lan J, Wei Y, Liu Z, Liu H. The nutritional roles of zinc for immune system and COVID-19 patients. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1385591. [PMID: 38706559 PMCID: PMC11066294 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1385591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient that strengthens the immune system, aids cellular activities, and treats infectious diseases. A deficiency in Zn can lead to an imbalance in the immune system. This imbalance is particularly evident in severe deficiency cases, where there is a high susceptibility to various viral infections, including COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. This review article examines the nutritional roles of Zn in human health, the maintenance of Zn concentration, and Zn uptake. As Zn is an essential trace element that plays a critical role in the immune system and is necessary for immune cell function and cell signaling, the roles of Zn in the human immune system, immune cells, interleukins, and its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection are further discussed. In summary, this review paper encapsulates the nutritional role of Zn in the human immune system, with the hope of providing specific insights into Zn research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Jin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xinran Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Yunyi He
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Luying Zhong
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Jiaxin Lan
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Yuting Wei
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Hongbo Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
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Joubert BR, Mantooth SN, McAllister KA. Environmental Health Research in Africa: Important Progress and Promising Opportunities. Front Genet 2020; 10:1166. [PMID: 32010175 PMCID: PMC6977412 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization in 2016 estimated that over 20% of the global disease burden and deaths were attributed to modifiable environmental factors. However, data clearly characterizing the impact of environmental exposures and health endpoints in African populations is limited. To describe recent progress and identify important research gaps, we reviewed literature on environmental health research in African populations over the last decade, as well as research incorporating both genomic and environmental factors. We queried PubMed for peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, or books examining environmental exposures and health outcomes in human populations in Africa. Searches utilized medical subheading (MeSH) terms for environmental exposure categories listed in the March 2018 US National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, which includes chemicals with worldwide distributions. Our search strategy retrieved 540 relevant publications, with studies evaluating health impacts of ambient air pollution (n=105), indoor air pollution (n = 166), heavy metals (n = 130), pesticides (n = 95), dietary mold (n = 61), indoor mold (n = 9), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs, n = 0), electronic waste (n = 9), environmental phenols (n = 4), flame retardants (n = 8), and phthalates (n = 3), where publications could belong to more than one exposure category. Only 23 publications characterized both environmental and genomic risk factors. Cardiovascular and respiratory health endpoints impacted by air pollution were comparable to observations in other countries. Air pollution exposures unique to Africa and some other resource limited settings were dust and specific occupational exposures. Literature describing harmful health effects of metals, pesticides, and dietary mold represented a context unique to Africa. Studies of exposures to phthalates, PFASs, phenols, and flame retardants were very limited. These results underscore the need for further focus on current and emerging environmental and chemical health risks as well as better integration of genomic and environmental factors in African research studies. Environmental exposures with distinct routes of exposure, unique co-exposures and co-morbidities, combined with the extensive genomic diversity in Africa may lead to the identification of novel mechanisms underlying complex disease and promising potential for translation to global public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie R Joubert
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Kimberly A McAllister
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
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Notova SV, Kiyaeva EV, Radysh IV, Laryushina IE, Blagonravov ML. Element Status of Students with Different Levels of Adaptation. Bull Exp Biol Med 2017; 163:590-593. [PMID: 28948555 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-017-3855-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The element status was studied in students with different levels of adaptation determined by the parameters of cardiointervalography. The content of chemical elements in the hair was measured by atomic emission and mass spectrometry. In students whose autonomic status was characterized by sympathicotonia, the level of cobalt in the hair was significantly higher, while the levels of manganese and magnesium were lower than normal. The content of selenium in the hair was 2.3 times lower in the study group in comparison with the median level in Russia. The content of toxic elements did not exceed the normal. Significant positive correlations between hair content of magnesium and calcium and between potassium and sodium were revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Notova
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia.
| | | | - I V Radysh
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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Hazra A, Saha J, Dasgupta N, Sengupta C, Kumar PM, Das S. Health-Benefit Assets of Different Indian Processed Teas: A Comparative Approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2017.87111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Oyebode O, Oti S, Chen YF, Lilford RJ. Salt intakes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-regression. Popul Health Metr 2016; 14:1. [PMID: 26759530 PMCID: PMC4709973 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-015-0068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High sodium intake increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. For this reason the World Health Organization recommends a maximum intake of 2 g per day and a 30 % reduction in population sodium intake by 2025. However, in global reviews, data on sodium intake in sub-Saharan Africa have been limited. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies reporting sodium intake in sub-Saharan African populations. Meta-regression analyses were used to test the effect of year of data collection and method of data collection (urinary/dietary), as well as any association between sex, urban/rural status or a country’s economic development, and population sodium intake. Results We identified 42 papers reporting 67 estimates of adult population sodium intakes and 12 estimates of child population sodium intakes since 1967. Of the 67 adult populations, 54 (81 %) consumed more than 2 g sodium/day, as did four of the 12 (33 %) child populations. Sixty-five adult estimates were included in the meta-regression, which found that urban populations consumed higher amounts of salt than rural populations and that urine collection gave lower estimates of sodium intake than dietary data. Conclusions Sodium intake in much of sub-Saharan Africa is above the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum intake and may be set to increase as the continent undergoes considerable urbanization. Few identified studies used stringent measurement criteria or representative population samples. High quality studies will be required to identify where and with whom to intervene, in order to meet the World Health Organization’s target of a 30 % reduction in population sodium intake and to demonstrate progress towards this target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyinlola Oyebode
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Samuel Oti
- African Population and Health Research Centre, Manga Close, Off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya ; Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yen-Fu Chen
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Richard J Lilford
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
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Cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity among university students in Somaliland. J Community Health 2015; 40:326-30. [PMID: 25179818 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-014-9938-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Physical inactivity is a well-known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and counts as fourth leading cause of death worldwide. The study aimed to elucidate to what extent cardiovascular risk factors exist in university students in Somaliland. In a cross-sectional survey, self-administered questionnaires were used to elucidate existence of cardiovascular risk factors in 173 university students (117 male, 56 female) in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Information elucidated included socio-economic and demographic data in addition to questions on coffee intake, on physical activity behavior, type of sport/activity and intensity and duration. Height and weight were taken, as was blood pressure (BP). Median age was 23 years in male and 20 years in female students. Mean BMI was 19.7 in male and 21.8 in female students. The prevalence rates of elevated BP and overweight (BMI ≥ 25) in female and male students were, 0 versus 9 and 14 versus 7 %, respectively. Coffee consumption was reported by 39 % of students. None of the female students reported smoking cigarettes, while 5.1 % of the male students did. Physical inactivity was reported by 52 % of the female students and 27 % of the male students (p = 0.01). Overall, male students reported a higher degree and intensity of physical activity. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is low in female and male university students in Somaliland. However, the results demonstrate a high degree of physical inactivity and overweight might become a problem in the future. This issue should be addressed by increasing the motivation and opportunities for physical activity in students.
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Mikulewicz M, Chojnacka K, Gedrange T, Górecki H. Reference values of elements in human hair: a systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2013; 36:1077-86. [PMID: 24141206 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of systematic review on reference values of elements in human hair with the consideration of methodological approach. The absence of worldwide accepted and implemented universal reference ranges causes that hair mineral analysis has not become yet a reliable and useful method of assessment of nutritional status and exposure of individuals. OBJECTIVES Systematic review of reference values of elements in human hair. DATA SOURCES PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Humans, hair mineral analysis, elements or minerals, reference values, original studies. RESULTS The number of studies screened and assessed for eligibility was 52. Eventually, included in the review were 5 papers. The studies report reference ranges for the content of elements in hair: macroelements, microelements, toxic elements and other elements. Reference ranges were elaborated for different populations in the years 2000-2012. The analytical methodology differed, in particular sample preparation, digestion and analysis (ICP-AES, ICP-MS). Consequently, the levels of hair minerals reported as reference values varied. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to elaborate the standard procedures and furtherly validate hair mineral analysis and deliver detailed methodology. Only then it would be possible to provide meaningful reference ranges and take advantage of the potential that lies in Hair Mineral Analysis as a medical diagnostic technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Mikulewicz
- Department of Dentofacial Orthopeadics and Orthodontics, Medical University of Wrocław, Poland.
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