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Zinc Update: Potential role of zinc in COVID-19 pandemic

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Dr KK Aggarwal    26 August 2020

 Zinc is being considered as a potential adjuvant therapy in treatment of COVID‑19 on account of its immune modulatory effect and direct antiviral effect

  • Zinc deficiency is linked with inflammatory alterations of lung extracellular matrix predisposing to fibrosis.
  • This could be of significance considering the presence of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in COVID‑19 patients.
  • Zinc, in combination with Zn ionophore pyrithione, inhibits SARS‑coronavirus RNA polymerase activity by decreasing its replication.
  • Increasing intracellular Zn2+ concentration by chloroquine may also mediate its antiviral effect against SARS‑CoV‑2.
  • It decreases the activity of ACE2, the receptor for SARS‑CoV‑2.
  • It inhibits NF‑κB signaling and modulates regulatory T‑cell functions, thus limiting the cytokine storm in COVID‑19.
  • Improved Zn status could potentially reduce the risk of bacterial co‑infection, improve mucociliary clearance and barrier function of the respiratory epithelium.

Source: Int J Mol Med 2020 Apr 14

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