Ananda Prasad

The Biological Significance of Zinc in Inflammation and Aging

Abstract Inflammation is a complex and critical immunological process resulting from host defense mechanisms against trauma, microorganism infection, or other adverse environmental stress or complex combinations of many biological insults sustained by humans. Such inflammatory processes, especially the sustained chronic condition of inflammation, along with inflammation-induced oxidative stress, can lead to irreversible cellular or tissue damage over time, which further contributes to the development of chronic degenerative diseases including cancers. The aging process is another complicated, multifactorial, and inherent biological process that progressively accumulates deleterious damage at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and even organ levels in the body during its maturation following birth, giving rise to alterations in physiological and biochemical functions, and eventually leading to increased vulnerability to diseases including cancers. In this chapter, we will discuss the role of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in the aging process, especially in age-related degenerative diseases including cancer. We will also discuss the role of zinc as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent in human health and disease, and its potential role as an anti-aging agent. Finally, we will discuss the detailed mechanisms of the protective action of zinc as a potential anti-aging agent in age-related cellular signaling involving the NF-κB, A20, Nrf2, and p53 pathways.

Zinc Acetate Lozenges May Improve the Recovery Rate of Common Cold Patients: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Background A previous meta-analysis of 3 zinc acetate lozenge trials estimated that colds were on average 40% shorter for the zinc groups. However, the duration of colds is a time outcome, and survival analysis may be a more informative approach. The objective of this individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was to estimate the effect of zinc acetate lozenges on the rate of recovery from colds. Methods We analyzed IPD for 3 randomized placebo-controlled trials in which 80–92 mg/day of elemental zinc were administered as zinc acetate lozenges to 199 common cold patients. We used mixed-effects Cox regression to estimate the effect of zinc. Results Patients administered zinc lozenges recovered faster by rate ratio 3.1 (95% confidence interval, 2.1–4.7). The effect was not modified by age, sex, race, allergy, smoking, or baseline common cold severity. On the 5th day, 70% of the zinc patients had recovered compared with 27% of the placebo patients. Accordingly, 2.6 times more patients were cured in the zinc group. The difference also corresponds to the number needed to treat of 2.3 on the 5th day. None of the studies observed serious adverse effects of zinc. Conclusions The 3-fold increase in the rate of recovery from the common cold is a clinically important effect. The optimal formulation of zinc lozenges and an ideal frequency of their administration should be examined. Given the evidence of efficacy, common cold patients may be instructed to try zinc acetate lozenges within 24 hours of onset of symptoms.

Nutrients, Phytochemicals, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of micronutrients and phytochemicals in the initiation and progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Although squamous cell cancer of the head and neck is associated with tobacco use, micronutrients and phytochemicals in the diet play an important role in the etiology and progression of this deadly disease. These compounds may have a role in the prevention of de novo cancer in high-risk populations, such as tobacco smokers, as well as in the prevention of disease progression or relapse. These compounds may have significant connections with cancer therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, which may be antagonistic, additive, or synergistic. Some micronutrients or phytochemicals may prevent the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation therapy while improving their efficacy. However, there are no data from randomized clinical trials showing their efficacy and safety in this population. Clinical studies investigating the use of these agents in the prevention and treatment of SCCHN should be of high priority.

Zinc and Thymulin

Thymulin is a thymic hormone produced by thymic epithelial cells (TEC) known to induce intra- and extra thymic T cell differentiation. It is a nonapeptide whose biological activity and antigenicity depend upon the presence of zinc, which also induces conformational changes in the molecule as demonstrated by RMN studies. The presence of zinc and metallothionein have been demonstrated with TEC which produce the peptide, suggesting that the molecule is secreted in its active zinc-containing form.