Biological consequences of zinc deficiency in the pathomechanisms of selected diseases

J Biol Inorg Chem. 2014 Oct;19(7):1069-79. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1139-0. Epub 2014 Apr 19.

Abstract

From many points of view, zinc is one of the most important trace elements in biological systems. Many articles describe the well-known role of this metal in human physiology and pathophysiology, but in the related literature, there is a lack of current and reliable reviews of the role of zinc deficiency in many diseases. In this article, we describe the role of zinc deficiency in the oxidative stress control, immune response, proliferation, and pathogenesis and pathophysiology of selected diseases such as depression, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and Wilson's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / etiology
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Zinc / analysis
  • Zinc / deficiency*
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Zinc