Antiviral and immunological activity of zinc and possible role in COVID-19
Dilina do Nascimento Marreiro, Kyria Jayanne Clímaco Cruz, Ana Raquel Soares de Oliveira, Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais, Betânia de Jesus e Silva de Almendra Freitas, Stéfany Rodrigues de Sousa Melo +3 more
British Journal Of Nutrition
Abstract
Zn deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases. This narrative review aims at presenting and discussing functional aspects and possible mechanisms involved in the potential role of Zn in the immune response and antiviral activity for coronavirus infectious disease-19 (COVID-19) prevention and control. The searches were conducted in PubMed and Science Direct databases, using clinical trials, experimental studies in animals and humans, case-control studies, case series, letters to the editor, and review articles published in English, without restrictions on year of publication. Search approach was based on using the terms: 'zinc', 'COVID-19', 'antiviral agents', 'immunologic factors' and 'respiratory tract infections'. Literature shows the importance of Zn as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body. Thus, although there is still a scarcity of studies evaluating Zn supplementation in patients with COVID-19, the results on the topic show the necessity of controlling Zn mineral deficiency, as well as maintaining its homoeostasis in the body in order to strengthen the immune system and improve the prevention of highly complex viral infections, such as that of the COVID-19.
Extracted Claims
2 claims extracted from this paper into the knowledge graph
Zn acts as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity
“Literature shows the importance of Zn as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body.”
Zn deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity
“Zn deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases.”