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Zn status of the individual may possess a protective effect as adjuvant therapy
of COVID-19. However, further experimental and clinical studies are strongly
needed.
A recent review investigated Zinc impact on COVID-19. Zinc is known to regulate inflammatory response and modulate antiviral and antibacterial immunity. Despite the paucity of clinical data, certain indications advocate that zinc status modulation may be valuable in COVID-19. Numerous in-vitro experiments indicate that Zn2+ possesses antiviral activity via SARS-CoV RNA polymerase inhibition.
This effect might form the basis of
chloroquine's therapeutic potency that is known to act as zinc ionophore.
Indirect evidence also denotes that Zn2+ may diminish ACE2
(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) activity, which is known to be the SARS-CoV-2
receptor. Enhanced antiviral immunity by zinc may also occur by up-regulating
the production of interferon-α and elevating its antiviral effect.
Zinc also has anti-inflammatory activity by
inhibiting NF-κB signaling and modulation of regulatory T-cell functions that
might mitigate the cytokine storm in COVID-19. By upgrading barrier function
and mucociliary clearance of respiratory epithelium, as well as by direct
antibacterial activity against S.pneumoniae,
improved Zn status may also diminish bacterial co-infection risk.
Zinc status is also notably related to risk
factors for severe COVID-19 pandemic (aging, obesity, atherosclerosis, immune
deficiency, and diabetes) since these are zinc deficiency known risk groups.
Therefore, Zn may demonstrate protective effect as preventive and adjuvant
therapy of COVID-19 through mucociliary clearance improvement,
ventilator-induced lung injury prevention, modulation of antibacterial and
antiviral immunity, and diminishing inflammation.
However, there is a requisition of further
clinical and experimental studies to elucidate the potential role of Zn
deficiency in COVID-19 susceptibility, as well as the effects of Zn
supplementation, and the underlying mechanisms.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine
Zinc and respiratory tract infections: Perspectives for COVID-19 (Review)
Anatolu V. Skalny et al.
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