An article published in the journal Nutrients defined sepsis as a “life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host-response to infection”. The authors discussed that sepsis is a major health issue across the world; however, there is still a lack of clearly explained pathobiology and uniform diagnostic tests.

Zinc is a vital trace element that ensures an appropriate immune response. During sepsis, there is a redistribution of zinc from serum into the liver. Several studies have pointed to a correlation between zinc and sepsis outcome. Altered zinc concentrations in different tissues might serve as one part of the host’s defense mechanism against pathogens during sepsis via varied mechanisms.

This article proposed that zinc contributes to nutritional immunity. It acts as a hepatoprotective agent, or a differentiation signal for innate immune cells, or it has a role in the synthesis of acute phase proteins. More information on these events could help determine how zinc could be optimally applied to improve the treatment of septic patients. Alterations in zinc homeostasis are substantial and are known to be correlated with disease severity. This indicates that zinc might serve as a potential diagnostic marker for evaluating the severity and predicting the outcome of sepsis.

This article summarized that zinc is essential for ensuring adequate immune response. In sepsis, the host’s zinc homeostasis is altered. Various studies indicate that some of the alterations could be part of the host’s defense mechanism against pathogens. Previous reports indicate that a patient’s zinc supply and serum zinc concentration are linked with severity, outcome and recurrence of sepsis. Hence, zinc could be used as a biomarker or as a starting point for a therapeutic approach.

Source: Nutrients. 2018 Aug; 10(8): 976. Published online 2018 Jul 27. doi: 10.3390/nu10080976