Interleukin-6 regulates the zinc transporter Zip14 in liver and contributes to the hypozincemia of the acute-phase response

Zinc-glutathione mitigates alcohol-induced intestinal and hepatic injury by modulating intestinal zinc-transporters in mice

Long-term alcohol overconsumption impairs intestinal and hepatic structure and function, along with dysregulation of zinc homeostasis. We previously found that zinc-glutathione (Zn-GSH) complex effectively suppressed alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that Zn-GSH suppresses alcohol-induced liver injury by modulating intestinal zinc transporters. Mice were subjected to long-term ethanol feeding, as per the NIAAA model, with groups receiving either an ethanol diet alone or an ethanol diet supplemented with Zn-GSH. Treatment groups were carefully monitored for alcohol consumption and subjected to a final binge drinking exposure. The results showed that Zn-GSH increased the survival rate and decreased the recovery time from binge drinking-induced drunkenness. Histopathological analyses demonstrated a reduction in liver steatosis and the preservation of intestinal integrity by Zn-GSH. It was observed that Zn-GSH prevented the reduction of Zn and GSH levels while increasing alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in both liver and intestine. Importantly, the expression and protein abundance of zinc transporters ZnT-1, ZIP-1, ZIP-4, ZIP-6, and ZIP-14, all of which are critically involved in intestinal zinc transport and homeostasis, were significantly increased or preserved by Zn-GSH in response to alcohol exposure. This study thus highlights the critical role of Zn-GSH in maintaining intestinal zinc homeostasis by modulating zinc transporters, thereby preventing alcohol-induced intestinal and hepatic injury.

Zinc transporters expression profile in professional handball players supplemented with zinc

INTRODUCTION

Zinc (Zn) deficiency has been described not only on general human health but also within the sports context -as negatively affecting performance-. Thus, Zn status assessment is of great interest for athletes, especially in order to correct deficiency states of this mineral.

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this work was to assess Zn status in professional handball players during the competitive period (through plasma levels, dietary intake and gene expression of the Zn transporters), as well as to determine the effect of Zn supplementation.

METHODS

A total of twenty-two participants were recruited, -twelve belonged to the Control Group (CG) and ten male handball players comprised the experimental group (ATH-G)-, being monitored over a 2-month period with 2 evaluation moments: baseline (i.e., initial conditions) and follow-up (i.e., after 8 weeks of training and competition). Zn intake, plasma Zn levels, and gene expression of Zn transporters were obtained.

RESULTS

Plasma Zn levels were higher in ATH-G than in CG at the end of Zn intervention (p ≤ 0.010). Moreover, differences in the gene expression profile of Zn transporters were observed in ATH-G -with the down-regulation of several Zn transporters-, compared to the CG at baseline (p ≤ 0.05). Likewise, differences in the Zn transporters expression were observed in ATH-G at 8 weeks (all, p ≤ 0.001) -with ZnT2, ZnT5, ZIP3, ZIP5, ZIP11, ZIP13 and ZIP14 transporters being up-regulated-.

CONCLUSION

Handball players seemed to have different nutritional needs for Zn, with differences in the gene expression of Zn transporters compared to controls. Zn intervention in our athletes may have influenced the expression of Zn transporters, indicating a potential increase in Zn transporters expression to mobilize Zn at the cellular level at 8 weeks of Zn intervention.

Prevalence and prognostic value of zinc and selenium deficiency in advanced chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Zinc and selenium are essential trace elements involved in important (patho)physiological processes. The prevalence and prognostic implications of zinc and selenium deficiency in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) remain unknown.

METHODS

We determined serum zinc and selenium concentrations in 309 patients with ACLD undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement between 2019 and 2022. We evaluated the prevalence of zinc/selenium deficiency and assessed its association with severity of ACLD and liver-related events (LRE, i.e. first/further hepatic decompensation/liver-related death).

RESULTS

Among 309 ACLD patients (median: age: 57 [IQR: 50-64], MELD: 11 [IQR: 9-16], HVPG: 17 [IQR: 11-20]), 73% (227) and 63% (195) were deficient in zinc and selenium, respectively. Decompensated (dACLD) patients showed significantly lower serum zinc (median: 48 [IQR: 38-59] vs. compensated, cACLD: 65 [IQR: 54-78], p < 0.001) and selenium levels (median: 4.9 [IQR 4.0-6.2] vs. cACLD: 6.1 [IQR 5.1-7.3], p < 0.001). Significant correlations of zinc/selenium levels were found with MELD (zinc: ρ = -0.498, p < 0.001; selenium: ρ = -0.295, p < 0.001), HVPG (zinc: ρ = -0.400, p < 0.001; selenium: ρ = -0.157, p = 0.006) and liver disease-driving mechanisms (IL6, bile-acid homeostasis). On multivariable analysis, low zinc/selenium levels, age and MELD remained independently associated with LRE.

CONCLUSION

Zinc and selenium deficiencies are common in ACLD patients especially with higher MELD and HVPG. Low zinc and selenium levels independently predicted hepatic decompensation and liver-related death. The effect of zinc/selenium supplementation in ACLD should be investigated in future trials.

Redox-Regulated Iron Metabolism and Ferroptosis in Ovarian Cancer: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities

Ovarian cancer (OC), known for its lethality and resistance to chemotherapy, is closely associated with iron metabolism and ferroptosis-an iron-dependent cell death process, distinct from both autophagy and apoptosis. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of iron metabolism could play a crucial role in OC by inducing an imbalance in the redox system, which leads to ferroptosis, offering a novel therapeutic approach. This review examines how disruptions in iron metabolism, which affect redox balance, impact OC progression, focusing on its essential cellular functions and potential as a therapeutic target. It highlights the molecular interplay, including the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), between iron metabolism and ferroptosis, and explores their interactions with key immune cells such as macrophages and T cells, as well as inflammation within the tumor microenvironment. The review also discusses how glycolysis-related iron metabolism influences ferroptosis via reactive oxygen species. Targeting these pathways, especially through agents that modulate iron metabolism and ferroptosis, presents promising therapeutic prospects. The review emphasizes the need for deeper insights into iron metabolism and ferroptosis within the redox-regulated system to enhance OC therapy and advocates for continued research into these mechanisms as potential strategies to combat OC.

IFI16 promotes the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma through the IL6/PI3K/AKT axis

BACKGROUND

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common disease in the urinary system, with a high incidence and poor prognosis in advanced stages. Although γ-interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) has been reported to play a role in various tumors, its involvement in ccRCC remains poorly documented, and the molecular mechanisms are not yet clear.

METHODS

We conducted bioinformatics analysis to study the expression of IFI16 in ccRCC using public databases. Additionally, we analyzed and validated clinical specimens that we collected. Subsequently, we explored the impact of IFI16 on ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, we predicted downstream molecules and pathways using transcriptome analysis and confirmed them through follow-up experimental validation.

RESULTS

IFI16 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissue and correlated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, IFI16 promoted ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while in vivo, it facilitated subcutaneous tumor growth and the formation of lung metastatic foci. Knocking down IFI16 suppressed its oncogenic function. At the molecular level, IFI16 promoted the transcription and translation of IL6, subsequently activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

CONCLUSION

IFI16 induced EMT through the IL6/PI3K/AKT axis, promoting the progression of ccRCC.

Multilevel Regulation of Membrane Proteins in Response to Metal and Metalloid Stress: A Lesson from Yeast

In the face of flourishing industrialization and global trade, heavy metal and metalloid contamination of the environment is a growing concern throughout the world. The widespread presence of highly toxic compounds of arsenic, antimony, and cadmium in nature poses a particular threat to human health. Prolonged exposure to these toxins has been associated with severe human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. These toxins are known to induce analogous cellular stresses, such as DNA damage, disturbance of redox homeostasis, and proteotoxicity. To overcome these threats and improve or devise treatment methods, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of cellular detoxification in metal and metalloid stress. Membrane proteins are key cellular components involved in the uptake, vacuolar/lysosomal sequestration, and efflux of these compounds; thus, deciphering the multilevel regulation of these proteins is of the utmost importance. In this review, we summarize data on the mechanisms of arsenic, antimony, and cadmium detoxification in the context of membrane proteome. We used yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic model to elucidate the complex mechanisms of the production, regulation, and degradation of selected membrane transporters under metal(loid)-induced stress conditions. Additionally, we present data on orthologues membrane proteins involved in metal(loid)-associated diseases in humans.

Zinc glycinate alleviates LPS-induced inflammation and intestinal barrier disruption in chicken embryos by regulating zinc homeostasis and TLR4/NF-κB pathway

The effect of an immune challenge induced by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure on systemic zinc homeostasis and the modulation of zinc glycinate (Zn-Gly) was investigated using a chicken embryo model. 160 Arbor Acres broiler fertilized eggs were randomly divided into 4 groups: CON (control group, injected with saline), LPS (LPS group, injected with 32 µg of LPS saline solution), Zn-Gly (zinc glycinate group, injected with 80 µg of zinc glycinate saline solution) and Zn-Gly+LPS (zinc glycinate and LPS group, injected with the same content of zinc glycinate and LPS saline solution). Each treatment consisted of eight replicates of five eggs each. An in ovo feeding procedure was performed at 17.5 embryonic day and samples were collected after 12 hours. The results showed that Zn-Gly attenuated the effects of LPS challenge-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory factor interleukin 1β (IL-1β) level (P =0.003). The LPS challenge mediated zinc transporter proteins and metallothionein (MT) to regulate systemic zinc homeostasis, with increased expression of the jejunum zinc export gene zinc transporter protein 1 (ZnT-1) and elevated expression of the import genes divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), Zrt- and Irt-like protein 3 (Zip3), Zip8 and Zip14 (P < 0.05). A similar trend could be observed for the zinc transporter genes in the liver, which for ZnT-1 mitigated by Zn-Gly supplementation (P =0.01). Liver MT gene expression was downregulated in response to the LPS challenge (P =0.004). These alterations caused by LPS resulted in decreased serum and liver zinc levels and increased small intestinal, muscle and tibial zinc levels. Zn-Gly reversed the elevated expression of the liver zinc finger protein A20 induced by the LPS challenge (P =0.025), while Zn-Gly reduced the gene expression of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6, decreased toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) (P < 0.05). Zn-Gly also alleviated the LPS-induced downregulation of the intestinal barrier gene Claudin-1. Thus, LPS exposure prompted the mobilization of zinc transporter proteins and MT to perform the remodeling of systemic zinc homeostasis, Zn-Gly participated in the regulation of zinc homeostasis and inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory factors through the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, attenuating the inflammatory response and intestinal barrier damage caused by an immune challenge.

CFTR is required for zinc-mediated antibacterial defense in human macrophages

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an anion transporter required for epithelial homeostasis in the lung and other organs, with CFTR mutations leading to the autosomal recessive genetic disease CF. Apart from excessive mucus accumulation and dysregulated inflammation in the airways, people with CF (pwCF) exhibit defective innate immune responses and are susceptible to bacterial respiratory pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we investigated the role of CFTR in macrophage antimicrobial responses, including the zinc toxicity response that is used by these innate immune cells against intracellular bacteria. Using both pharmacological approaches, as well as cells derived from pwCF, we show that CFTR is required for uptake and clearance of pathogenic Escherichia coli by CSF-1-derived primary human macrophages. CFTR was also required for E. coli-induced zinc accumulation and zinc vesicle formation in these cells, and E. coli residing in macrophages exhibited reduced zinc stress in the absence of CFTR function. Accordingly, CFTR was essential for reducing the intramacrophage survival of a zinc-sensitive E. coli mutant compared to wild-type E. coli. Ectopic expression of the zinc transporter SLC30A1 or treatment with exogenous zinc was sufficient to restore antimicrobial responses against E. coli in human macrophages. Zinc supplementation also restored bacterial killing in GM-CSF-derived primary human macrophages responding to P. aeruginosa, used as an in vitro macrophage model relevant to CF. Thus, restoration of the zinc toxicity response could be pursued as a therapeutic strategy to restore innate immune function and effective host defense in pwCF.

Role of zinc in health and disease

This review provides a concise overview of the cellular and clinical aspects of the role of zinc, an essential micronutrient, in human physiology and discusses zinc-related pathological states. Zinc cannot be stored in significant amounts, so regular dietary intake is essential. ZIP4 and/or ZnT5B transport dietary zinc ions from the duodenum into the enterocyte, ZnT1 transports zinc ions from the enterocyte into the circulation, and ZnT5B (bidirectional zinc transporter) facilitates endogenous zinc secretion into the intestinal lumen. Putative promoters of zinc absorption that increase its bioavailability include amino acids released from protein digestion and citrate, whereas dietary phytates, casein and calcium can reduce zinc bioavailability. In circulation, 70% of zinc is bound to albumin, and the majority in the body is found in skeletal muscle and bone. Zinc excretion is via faeces (predominantly), urine, sweat, menstrual flow and semen. Excessive zinc intake can inhibit the absorption of copper and iron, leading to copper deficiency and anaemia, respectively. Zinc toxicity can adversely affect the lipid profile and immune system, and its treatment depends on the mode of zinc acquisition. Acquired zinc deficiency usually presents later in life alongside risk factors like malabsorption syndromes, but medications like diuretics and angiotensin-receptor blockers can also cause zinc deficiency. Inherited zinc deficiency condition acrodermatitis enteropathica, which occurs due to mutation in the SLC39A4 gene (encoding ZIP4), presents from birth. Treatment involves zinc supplementation via zinc gluconate, zinc sulphate or zinc chloride. Notably, oral zinc supplementation may decrease the absorption of drugs like ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and risedronate.

Zinc Transporter ZnT1 mRNA Expression Is Negatively Associated with Leptin Serum Concentrations but Is not Associated with Insulin Resistance or Inflammatory Markers in Visceral Adipose Tissue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between biomarkers of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and zinc transporter ZnT1 expression in human visceral adipose tissue. Visceral adipose tissue obtained from 47 adults undergoing laparoscopic surgery for cholecystectomy was used to analyze ZnT1 mRNA expression by RT-qPCR. ZnT1 mRNA levels were compared between subjects with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. A significantly lower ZnT1 expression was observed in overweight and obesity compared with normal-weight subjects (p = 0.0016). Moreover, subjects with normal weight had significantly higher serum zinc concentration (97.7 ± 13.1 mg/L) than subjects with overweight (87.0 ± 12.8 mg/L) and obesity (83.1 ± 6.6 mg/L) (p = 0.002). Pearson test showed a positive correlation between serum zinc concentrations and ZnT1 mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue (r = 0.323; p = 0.031) and a negative correlation with body mass index (r =  - 0.358; p = 0.013). A linear regression model was used to analyze the associations between ZnT1 mRNA expression and serum zinc levels, insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), serum adipokines (leptin and adiponectin), and serum inflammation biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein). Interestingly, leptin concentrations were negatively associated with ZnT1 mRNA expression (p = 0.012); however, no significant associations were found for the rest of the analyzed variables. Future research is needed to analyze the causality of negative association between ZntT1 expression in visceral adipose tissue and leptin.

Zinc homeostasis and redox alterations in obesity

Impairment of both cellular zinc and redox homeostasis is a feature of several chronic diseases, including obesity. A significant two-way interaction exists between redox metabolism and the relatively redox-inert zinc ion. Redox metabolism critically influences zinc homeostasis and controls its cellular availability for various cellular functions by regulating zinc exchange from/to zinc-binding proteins. Zinc can regulate redox metabolism and exhibits multiple pro-antioxidant properties. On the other hand, even minor disturbances in zinc status and zinc homeostasis affect systemic and cellular redox homeostasis. At the cellular level, zinc homeostasis is regulated by a multi-layered machinery consisting of zinc-binding molecules, zinc sensors, and two selective families of zinc transporters, the Zinc Transporter (ZnT) and Zrt, Irt-like protein (ZIP). In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the mutual interaction between zinc and redox homeostasis in physiology and pathophysiology, pointing to the role of zinc in the alterations responsible for redox stress in obesity. Since zinc transporters primarily control zinc homeostasis, we describe how changes in the expression and activity of these zinc-regulating proteins are associated with obesity.

Analysis of Zinc and Stromal Immunity in Disuse Osteoporosis: Mendelian Randomization and Transcriptomic Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Disuse osteoporosis is known to be primarily caused by a lack of exercise. However, the causal relationships between zinc and immunity and disuse osteoporosis remain unknown. This study investigated these relationships and their potential mechanisms.

METHODS

This study was an integrative study combining genome-wide association studies and transcriptomics. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) was used to analyze the causal relationships between exposures (zinc, immunity, physical activity) and the outcome (osteoporosis) with the aid of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs). Four models, MR-Egger, inverse variance weighted, weighted median and MR-Pleiotrophy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MRPRESSO), were used to calculate odds ratio values. Sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses were also performed using MRPRESSO and MR-Egger methods. The mRNA transcriptomic analysis was subsequently conducted. Zinc metabolism scores were acquired through single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis algorithms. Stromal scores were obtained using the R Package "estimate" algorithms. Important Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology pathways were also derived through gene set variation analysis. Cytoscape software helped construct the transcription factor (TF)-mRNA-microRNA (miRNA) network. Virtual screening and molecular docking were performed. Polymerase chain reaction validation was also carried out in vivo.

RESULTS

Causal relationships were demonstrated between zinc and exercise (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-2.95, p = 0.001), exercise and immunity (95% CI = 0.36-0.80, p = 0.002), exercise and osteoporosis (95% CI = 0.97-0.99, p = 0.0007), and immunity disorder and osteoporosis (95% CI = 1.30-2.03, p = 0.00002). One hundred and seventy-nine mRNAs in important modules were screened. Combining the differential expressional genes (DEGs) and the Boruta selection, six DEGs were screened (AHNAK, CSF2, ADAMTS12, SRA1, RUNX2, and SLC39A14). TF HOXC10 and miRNA hsa-miR-204 were predicted. Then, the TF-mRNA-miRNA network was successfully constructed. RUNX2 and SLC39A14 were identified as hub mRNAs in the TF-mRNA-miRNA network. Eventually, the novel small drug C6O4NH5 was designed according to the pharmacophore structure of SLC39A14. The docking energy for the novel drug was -5.83 kcal/mol. SLC39A14 and RUNX2 were downregulated (of statistical significance p-value < 0.05) in our animal experiment.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that zinc had a protective causal relationship with disuse osteoporosis by promoting exercise and immunity. SLC39A14 and RUNX2 mRNA participated in this zinc-related mechanism.

The Anti-Oxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Apoptotic, and Anti-Necroptotic Role of Zinc in COVID-19 and Sepsis

Zinc is a structural component of proteins, functions as a catalytic co-factor in DNA synthesis and transcription of hundreds of enzymes, and has a regulatory role in protein-DNA interactions of zinc-finger proteins. For many years, zinc has been acknowledged for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions. Furthermore, zinc is a potent inhibitor of caspases-3, -7, and -8, modulating the caspase-controlled apoptosis and necroptosis. In recent years, the immunomodulatory role of zinc in sepsis and COVID-19 has been investigated. Both sepsis and COVID-19 are related to various regulated cell death (RCD) pathways, including apoptosis and necroptosis. Lack of zinc may have a negative effect on many immune functions, such as oxidative burst, cytokine production, chemotaxis, degranulation, phagocytosis, and RCD. While plasma zinc concentrations decline swiftly during both sepsis and COVID-19, this reduction is primarily attributed to a redistribution process associated with the inflammatory response. In this response, hepatic metallothionein production increases in reaction to cytokine release, which is linked to inflammation, and this protein effectively captures and stores zinc in the liver. Multiple regulatory mechanisms come into play, influencing the uptake of zinc, the binding of zinc to blood albumin and red blood cells, as well as the buffering and modulation of cytosolic zinc levels. Decreased zinc levels are associated with increasing severity of organ dysfunction, prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality in septic and COVID-19 patients. Results of recent studies focusing on these topics are summarized and discussed in this narrative review. Existing evidence currently does not support pharmacological zinc supplementation in patients with sepsis or COVID-19. Complementation and repletion should follow current guidelines for micronutrients in critically ill patients. Further research investigating the pharmacological mechanism of zinc in programmed cell death caused by invasive infections and its therapeutic potential in sepsis and COVID-19 could be worthwhile.

Interleukin 6: at the interface of human health and disease

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine executing a diverse number of functions, ranging from its effects on acute phase reactant pathways, B and T lymphocytes, blood brain barrier permeability, synovial inflammation, hematopoiesis, and embryonic development. This cytokine empowers the transition between innate and adaptive immune responses and helps recruit macrophages and lymphocytes to the sites of injury or infection. Given that IL-6 is involved both in the immune homeostasis and pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, research into therapeutic modulation of IL-6 axis resulted in the approval of a number of effective treatments for several autoimmune disorders like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, giant cell arteritis (GCA), and cytokine release syndrome, associated with SARS-CoV2 pneumonia. This review discusses downstream inflammatory pathways of IL-6 expression and therapeutic applications of IL-6 blockade, currently investigated for the treatment of several other autoimmune conditions such as autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune epilepsy, as well as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated demyelination (MOGAD). This review further highlights the need for clinical trials to evaluate IL-6 blockade in disorders such neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (SLE), sarcoidosis and Behcet's.

Sucrose-induced hyperglycemia dysregulates intestinal zinc metabolism and integrity: risk factors for chronic diseases

Objective

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is critical for many physiological processes, including glucose metabolism, regulation of inflammation, and intestinal barrier function. Further, zinc dysregulation is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as type II diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, whether altered zinc status is a symptom or cause of disease onset remains unclear. Common symptoms of these three chronic diseases include the onset of increased intestinal permeability and zinc dyshomeostasis. The specific focus of this work is to investigate how dietary sources of intestinal permeability, such as high sucrose consumption, impact transporter-mediated zinc homeostasis and subsequent zinc-dependent physiology contributing to disease development.

Method

We used in vivo subchronic sucrose treatment, ex vivo intestinal organoid culture, and in vitro cell systems. We analyze the alterations in zinc metabolism and intestinal permeability and metabolic outcomes.

Results

We found that subchronic sucrose treatment resulted in systemic changes in steady-state zinc distribution and increased 65Zn transport (blood-to-intestine) along with greater ZIP14 expression at the basolateral membrane of the intestine. Further, sucrose treatment enhanced cell survival of intestinal epithelial cells, activation of the EGFR-AKT-STAT3 pathway, and intestinal permeability.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that subchronic high sucrose consumption alters systemic and intestinal zinc homeostasis linking diet-induced changes in zinc homeostasis to the intestinal permeability and onset of precursors for chronic disease.

Zinc for infection prevention in children with sickle cell anemia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Data from small clinical trials in the United States and India suggest zinc supplementation reduces infection in adolescents and adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA), but no studies of zinc supplementation for infection prevention have been conducted in children with SCA living in Africa. We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to assess zinc supplementation for prevention of severe or invasive infections in Ugandan children 1.00-4.99 years with SCA. Of 252 enrolled participants, 124 were assigned zinc (10 mg) and 126 assigned placebo once daily for 12 months. The primary outcome was incidence of protocol-defined severe or invasive infections. Infection incidence did not differ between treatment arms (282 vs. 270 severe or invasive infections per 100 person-years, respectively, incidence rate ratio of 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81, 1.32, p=0.78]), adjusting for hydroxyurea treatment. There was also no difference between treatment arms in incidence of serious adverse events or SCA-related events. Children receiving zinc had increased serum levels after 12-months, but at study exit, 41% remained zinc deficient (<65 μg/dL). In post-hoc analysis, occurrence of stroke or death was lower in the zinc treatment arm (adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI), 0.22 (0.05, 1.00); p=0.05). Daily 10 mg zinc supplementation for 12 months did not prevent severe or invasive infections in Ugandan children with SCA, but many supplemented children remained zinc deficient. Optimal zinc dosing and the role of zinc in preventing stroke or death in SCA warrant further investigation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03528434.

Effect of zinc supplementation on blood sugar control in the overweight and obese population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Although overweight and obese people have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes incidence than normal-weight individuals, the efficacy of zinc supplementation in blood sugar control in overweight and obese people remained unknown. This meta-analysis attempted to address this issue.

METHODS

Databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception until May 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of zinc supplementation among participants who were overweight or obese without language restriction. It is a random-effect meta-analysis that analyzed the impact of zinc supplementation on fasting glucose (FG) (i.e., primary outcome) and other variables including fasting insulin (FI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2 h- PG).

RESULTS

Analysis of 12 eligible RCTs involving 651 overweight/obese participants demonstrated that zinc supplementation significantly improves FG (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -8.57 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -14.04 to -3.09 mg/dL, p = 0.002), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.54; 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.30, p < 0.001), HbA1c (WMD: -0.25%; 95% CI: -0.43% to -0.07%, p = 0.006), and 2 h-PG (WMD: -18.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: -25.04 to -11.79 mg/dL, p < 0.001) compared to those in the control group. After conducting subgroup analyses, we found that the primary outcome, FG, showed more significant results in the subgroups with Asia, Zinc supplementation alone, higher dose (≥30 mg) and patients with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated that zinc supplementation benefits blood sugar control in overweight and obese populations, with an especially significant reduction in FG.

Clinical and biochemical understanding of Zinc interaction during liver diseases: A paradigm shift

Zinc (Zn) is an essential and the second most abundant trace element after Iron. It can apply antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activity. It is assumed to be indispensable for cell division, cellular differentiation and cell signalling. Zinc is essential for proper liver function which is also the site of its metabolism. Depleted Zn concentrations have been observed in both acute and chronic hepatic diseases. It is reported that Zn deficiency or abnormal Zn metabolism during majority of liver diseases is attributed to deficient dietary intake of Zn, augmented disposal of Zn in the urine, activation of certain Zn transporters, and expression of hepatic metallothionein. Undoubtedly, Zn is involved in generating many diseases but how and whether it plays role from acute to fulminant stage of all chronic liver diseases remains to be cleared. Here, we will discuss the role of Zn in development of different diseases specifically the involvement of Zn to understand the aetiology and intricate mechanism of dynamic liver diseases.

Zinc and Central Nervous System Disorders

Zinc (Zn²⁺) is the second most abundant necessary trace element in the human body, exerting a critical role in many physiological processes such as cellular proliferation, transcription, apoptosis, growth, immunity, and wound healing. It is an essential catalyst ion for many enzymes and transcription factors. The maintenance of Zn²⁺ homeostasis is essential for the central nervous system, in which Zn²⁺ is abundantly distributed and accumulates in presynaptic vesicles. Synaptic Zn²⁺ is necessary for neural transmission, playing a pivotal role in neurogenesis, cognition, memory, and learning. Emerging data suggest that disruption of Zn²⁺ homeostasis is associated with several central nervous system disorders including Alzheimer's disease, depression, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Here, we reviewed the correlation between Zn²⁺ and these central nervous system disorders. The potential mechanisms were also included. We hope that this review can provide new clues for the prevention and treatment of nervous system disorders.

Imbalance of Essential Metals in Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Possible Link with Disorders of Consciousness

Dysfunction of the complex cerebral networks underlying wakefulness and awareness is responsible for Disorders of Consciousness (DoC). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a common cause of DoC, and it is responsible for a multi-dimensional pathological cascade that affects the proper functioning of the brainstem and brain consciousness pathways. Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) have a role in the neurophysiology of both the ascending reticular activating system, a multi-neurotransmitter network located in the brainstem that is crucial for consciousness, and several brain regions. We aimed to summarize the role of these essential metals in TBI and its possible link with consciousness alterations. We found that TBI alters many neuronal molecular mechanisms involving essential metals, causing neurodegeneration, neural apoptosis, synaptic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This final pattern resembles that described for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological and psychiatric diseases. Furthermore, we found that amantadine, zolpidem, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-the most used treatments for DoC recovery-seem to have an effect on essential metals-related pathways and that Zn might be a promising new therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the neurophysiology of essential metals in the brain structures of consciousness and focuses on the mechanisms underlying their imbalance following TBI, suggesting their possible role in DoC. The scenario supports further studies aimed at getting a deeper insight into metals' role in DoC, in order to evaluate metal-based drugs, such as metal complexes and metal chelating agents, as potential therapeutic options.

Biological Role of Zinc in Liver Cirrhosis: An Updated Review

Liver cirrhosis is a complication usually due to the consequence of persistent chronic liver disease. It is associated with different mechanisms, including hypoalbuminemia, impaired amino acid turnover, and micronutrient deficiencies. Consequently, cirrhotic patients can develop progressive complications like ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver is a vital organ that regulates the different metabolic pathways and transportation of trace elements. Zn is an indispensable micronutrient trace element involved in its crucial functions in cellular metabolic activity. Zn mediates its action by binding to a wide range of proteins; therefore, it imparts numerous biological effects, including cellular division, differentiation, and growth. It is also involved in critical processes for the biosynthesis of structural proteins and regulation of transcription factors and acts as a co-factor for the various enzymatic processes. As the liver is a significant regulator of Zn metabolism, its abnormalities lead to Zn deficiency, which has consequences on cellular, endocrine, immune, sensory, and skin dysfunctions. Conversely, Zn deficiency may modify the functions of hepatocytes and immune responses (acute phase protein production) in inflammatory liver diseases. This review has concisely stated the evolving indication of the critical role of Zn in biological processes and complications associated with liver cirrhosis pathogenesis due to Zn deficiency.

Assessment of trace elements in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are involved in immune and antioxidant defense. Their role in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) treatment and outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to describe trace element concentrations in different types of biological samples and their relationship with morbidity and mortality in patients with SIRS.

METHODS

Literature was systematically reviewed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The search results were screened and evaluated for eligibility, and data were extracted and summarized in tables and figures.

RESULTS

Most of the 38 included studies evaluated Se (75%), followed by Zn (42%) and Cu (22%). Plasma was the main biological sample evaluated (58%). Thirteen studies found lower plasma/serum concentrations of Zn, Se, and Cu in SIRS patients than in controls upon admission, 11 studies on adults (intensive care unit-ICU) and two in pediatric ICU (PICU). Three ICU studies found no difference in erythrocyte trace element concentrations in patients with SIRS. In all studies, the two main outcomes investigated were organ failure and mortality. In seven ICU studies, patients with lower plasma or serum Zn/Se levels had higher mortality rates. A study conducted in the PICU reported an association between increased Se variation and lower 28-day mortality. In an ICU study, lower erythrocyte selenium levels were associated with higher ICU/hospital mortality, after adjustment. Five ICU studies associated lower plasma/serum Zn/Se levels with higher organ failure scores and one PICU study showed an association between higher erythrocyte Se levels and lower organ dysfunction scores.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in erythrocyte Se levels in patients with SIRS. Serum/Plasma Zn and serum/plasma/erythrocyte Se are associated with organ dysfunction, mortality, and inflammation. Trace element deficiencies should be diagnosed by erythrocyte, or complementary measurements in the presence of inflammation.

Iron Deficiency and Nephrotoxic Heavy Metals: A Dangerous Interplay?

Heavy metals are common in our environment, and all individuals are exposed to them to some extent. These toxic metals have several harmful effects on the body, including the kidney, which is a very sensitive organ. Indeed, heavy metal exposure has been linked to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression, which may be explained by the well-established nephrotoxic effects of these metals. In this hypothesis and narrative literature review, we will shed light on the potential role that another highly common problem in patients with CKD, iron deficiency, may play in the damaging effects of heavy metal exposure in this patient group. Iron deficiency has previously been linked with an increased uptake of heavy metals in the intestine due to the upregulation of iron receptors that also take up other metals. Furthermore, recent research suggests a role of iron deficiency in the retention of heavy metals in the kidney. Therefore, we hypothesize that iron deficiency plays a crucial role in the damaging effects of heavy metal exposure in patients with CKD and that iron supplementation might be a strategy to combat these detrimental processes.

Obesity and dysregulated innate immune responses: impact of micronutrient deficiencies

Obesity is associated with the development of various complications, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and an increased risk for infections, driven by dysfunctional innate immune responses. Recent insights have revealed that the availability of nutrients is a key determinant of innate immune cell function. Although the presence of obesity is associated with overnutrition of macronutrients, several micronutrient deficiencies, including Vitamin D and zinc, are often present. Micronutrients have been attributed important immunomodulatory roles. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D and zinc. We also suggest future lines of research to further improve our understanding of these micronutrients; this may serve as a stepping-stone to explore micronutrient supplementation to improve innate immune cell function during obesity.

Relationship between Plasma Levels of Zinc and Magnesium with the Treatment Process and Mortality Risk in COVID-19 Patients

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a major health problem all over the world which has caused extensive and worldwide mortality and morbidities along with vast economic and political impact. Limitations of our knowledge and controversies in treatment modalities make the control and management of this disease more difficult. The status of electrolytes especially Mg and Zn in plasma and its correlation with the clinical situation and criteria for recovery has been investigated in various studies. Limited data in Iran mandate the design of a trial for evaluating our critically ill patients. We designed this study to investigate the correlation between plasma levels of Mg and Zn and the outcome including patients' need for assisted/controlled ventilation, time required for weaning, length of ICU stay, and probable cause of death.

Materials and Methods

413 patients with severe respiratory signs of COVID-19 disease who were admitted to the ICUs of 3 medical centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were evaluated for plasma levels of Mg and Zn. Supplemental therapy was introduced when needed and was followed until discharge from ICU or death. All recorded data were analyzed by statistical methods and results were compared with similar studies.

Results

20.6% and 35.1% of all participants had low serum levels of Mg and Zn, respectively. 11 patients (2.7%) died through the treatment period. 56.9% and 61.0% of participants received Mg and Zn supplements, respectively.

Conclusion

According to our results, serum Mg and Zn levels did not show a significant correlation with the risk of death due to severe COVID-19 disease, prolonged assisted ventilation, or duration of ICU stay. There was no significant association between Mg and Zn supplementation with the risk of death due to severe COVID-19; however, it showed an inverse relationship with the time required for assisted ventilation and the duration of ICU stay. It seems that Mg and Zn supplementation can be useful in preventing or managing some of the morbidities among COVID-19 patients.

Localized Infections with P. aeruginosa Strains Defective in Zinc Uptake Reveal That Zebrafish Embryos Recapitulate Nutritional Immunity Responses of Higher Eukaryotes

The innate immune responses of mammals to microbial infections include strategies based on manipulating the local concentration of metals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), commonly described as nutritional immunity. To evaluate whether these strategies are also present in zebrafish embryos, we have conducted a series of heart cavity-localized infection experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains characterized by a different ability to acquire Zn. We have found that, 48 h after infection, the bacterial strains lacking critical components of the Zn importers ZnuABC and ZrmABCD have a reduced colonization capacity compared to the wild-type strain. This observation, together with the finding of a high level of expression of Zur-regulated genes, suggests the existence of antimicrobial mechanisms based on Zn sequestration. However, we have observed that strains lacking such Zn importers have a selective advantage over the wild-type strain in the early stages of infection. Analysis of the expression of the gene that encodes for a Zn efflux pump has revealed that at short times after infection, P. aeruginosa is exposed to high concentrations of Zn. At the same time, zebrafish respond to the infection by activating the expression of the Zn transporters Slc30a1 and Slc30a4, whose mammalian homologs mediate a redistribution of Zn in phagocytes aimed at intoxicating bacteria with a metal excess. These observations indicate that teleosts share similar nutritional immunity mechanisms with higher vertebrates, and confirm the usefulness of the zebrafish model for studying host-pathogen interactions.

Recent progress toward understanding the role of ZIP14 in regulating systemic manganese homeostasis

ZIP14 is a metal transporter essential for the regulation of body manganese homeostasis. The physiological functions of ZIP14 have been uncovered mainly through two lines of in vivo studies that examined the phenotypes of ZIP14 loss, including studies of humans with ZIP14 mutations and animals with ZIP14 deficiency. This mini review aims at presenting an updated view of the important advances made towards understanding the genetic and pathological mechanisms of brain manganese overload caused by ZIP14 deficiency.

Possible relationship between poor skin disorders prognosis and serum zinc level: A narrative review

Zinc is a trace nutrient essential for the normal growth and development of human body. The main aim was to evaluate the significant association between measured zinc status in relation to different skin disorders and their severity. PubMed®, Google® Scholar™ and Cochrane© Reviews databases were searched for studies from January 2017 to June 2021, using the terms; zinc serum levels, zinc plasma levels and different dermatosis in the review, only human studies in English language were reviewed and the studies designs were controlled, cross sectional, observational and analytic types. A total of forty-eight research studies were included in this review. All studies have evaluated serum zinc in skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis alba, androgenetic alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, vitiligo, melasma, acne, seborrheic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppuritiva. It was found that 33 studies had validated statistically significant differences in serum zinc levels between patients and controls. There is a predominance of low serum zinc levels in all the dermatoses reviewed. The clinical significance of this finding highlights the possible value, and need to investigate, the use of Zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases proven to manifest altered zinc levels.

Trace Element Interactions, Inflammatory Signaling, and Male Sex Implicated in Reduced Growth Following Excess Oral Iron Supplementation in Pre-Weanling Rats

Iron supplements are frequently provided to infants in high-income countries despite low incidence of iron deficiency. There is growing concern regarding adverse health and development outcomes of excess iron provision in early life. Excess iron may directly damage developing organs through the formation of reactive oxygen species, alter systemic inflammatory signaling, and/or dysregulate trace mineral metabolism. To better characterize the in vivo effects of excess iron on development, we utilized a pre-weanling rat pup model. Lewis rat litters were culled to eight pups (four males and four females) and randomly assigned to daily supplementation groups receiving either vehicle control (CON; 10% w/v sucrose solution) or ferrous sulfate (FS) iron at one of the following doses: 10, 30, or 90 mg iron/kg body weight—FS-10, FS-30, and FS-90, respectively—from postnatal day (PD) 2 through 9. FS-90 litters, but not FS-30 or FS-10, failed to thrive compared to CON litters and had smaller brains on PD 10. Among the groups, FS-90 liver iron levels were highest, as were white blood cell counts. Compared to CON, circulating MCP-1 and liver zinc were increased in FS-90 pups, whereas liver copper was decreased. Growth defects due to excess FS provision in pre-weanling rats may be related to liver injury, inflammation, and altered trace mineral metabolism.

A crosstalk between hepcidin and IRE/IRP pathways controls ferroportin expression and determines serum iron levels in mice

The iron hormone hepcidin is transcriptionally activated by iron or inflammation via distinct, partially overlapping pathways. We addressed how iron affects inflammatory hepcidin levels and the ensuing hypoferremic response. Dietary iron overload did not mitigate hepcidin induction in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated wild type mice but prevented effective inflammatory hypoferremia. Likewise, LPS modestly decreased serum iron in hepcidin-deficient Hjv^-/- mice, model of hemochromatosis. Synthetic hepcidin triggered hypoferremia in control but not iron-loaded wild type animals. Furthermore, it dramatically decreased hepatic and splenic ferroportin in Hjv^-/- mice on standard or iron-deficient diet, but only triggered hypoferremia in the latter. Mechanistically, iron antagonized hepcidin responsiveness by inactivating IRPs in the liver and spleen to stimulate ferroportin mRNA translation. Prolonged LPS treatment eliminated ferroportin mRNA and permitted hepcidin-mediated hypoferremia in iron-loaded mice. Thus, de novo ferroportin synthesis is a critical determinant of serum iron and finetunes hepcidin-dependent functional outcomes. Our data uncover a crosstalk between hepcidin and IRE/IRP systems that controls tissue ferroportin expression and determines serum iron levels. Moreover, they suggest that hepcidin supplementation therapy is more efficient when combined with iron depletion.

Vitamin D Status in Critically Ill Patients with SIRS and Its Relationship with Circulating Zn and Related Parameters during ICU Stay

Critically ill patients are exposed to different stressors which may generate Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). This situation hinders the assessment of micronutrients status, such as vitamin D or Zinc (Zn), potentially affecting patients’ treatment and recovery. The aim of the present study was to assess the evolution of circulating 25–Hydroxyvitamin D (25–OH–D) levels after seven days of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and the influence on changes in plasma and erythrocyte Zn levels, as well as other parameters related to phosphorus–calcium metabolism. A prospective analytical study was conducted on 65 critically ill patients (42% women) aged 31–77 years with SIRS. Total 25–OH–D levels were measured in plasma samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and Zn content was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Both 25–OH–D and 25–OH–D₃ levels were directly associated with erythrocyte Zn concentration at follow-up (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011, respectively). A relationship between erythrocyte and plasma Zn was also found at this follow-up point. No such clear associations were found when considering 25–OH–D₂. Different disturbances in levels of phosphorus–calcium metabolism parameters were found, suggesting a relationship between the changes of 25–OH–D₃ levels and parathormone (p = 0.019) and phosphorus (p = 0.005). The findings of the present study suggest an interaction between vitamin D and Zn, in which the correct status of these micronutrients could be a potentially modifiable factor and a beneficial approach in the recovery of critically ill patients.

Transcriptional Regulation and Protein Localization of Zip10, Zip13 and Zip14 Transporters of Freshwater Teleost Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Following Zn Exposure in a Heterologous HEK293T Model

Zip family proteins are involved in the control of zinc (Zn) ion homeostasis. The present study cloned the promoters and investigated the transcription responses and protein subcellular localizations of three LIV-1 subfamily members (zip10, zip13, and zip14) from common freshwater teleost yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, using in vitro cultured HEK293T model cells. The 2278 bp, 1917 bp, and 1989 bp sequences of zip10, zip13, and zip14 promoters, respectively, were subcloned into pGL3-Basic plasmid for promoter activity analysis. The pcDNA3.1 plasmid coding EGFP tagged pfZip10, pfZip13, and pfZip14 were generated for subsequent confocal microscope analysis. Several potential transcription factors' binding sites were predicted within the promoters. In vitro promoter analysis in the HEK293T cells showed that high Zn administration significantly reduced the transcriptional activities of the zip10, zip13, and zip14 promoters. The -2017 bp/-2004 bp MRE in the zip10 promoter, the -360 bp/-345 bp MRE in the zip13 promoter, and the -1457 bp/-1442 bp MRE in the zip14 promoter were functional loci that were involved in the regulation of the three zips. The -606 bp/-594 bp KLF4 binding site in the zip13 promoter was a functional locus responsible for zinc-responsive regulation of zip13. The -1383 bp/-1375 bp STAT3 binding site in the zip14 promoter was a functional locus responsible for zinc-responsive regulation of zip14. Moreover, confocal microscope analysis indicated that zinc incubation significantly reduced the fluorescence intensity of pfZip10-EGFP and pfZip14-EGFP but had no significant influence on pfZip13-EGFP fluorescence intensity. Further investigation found that pfZip10 localizes on cell membranes, pfZip14 colocalized with both cell membranes and lysosome, and pfZip13 colocalized with intracellular ER and Golgi. Our research illustrated the transcription regulation of zip10, zip13, and zip14 from P. fulvidraco under zinc administration, which provided a reference value for the mechanisms involved in Zip-family-mediated control of zinc homeostasis in vertebrates.

Calcium and the Ca-ATPase SPCA1 modulate plasma membrane abundance of ZIP8 and ZIP14 to regulate Mn(II) uptake in brain microvascular endothelial cells

Manganese (II) accumulation in human brain microvascular endothelial cells is mediated by the metal-ion transporters ZRT IRT-like protein 8 (ZIP8) and ZRT IRT-like protein 14 (ZIP14). The plasma membrane occupancy of ZIP14, in particular, is increased in cells treated with Mn²⁺, lipopolysaccharide, or IL-6, but the mechanism of this regulation has not been elucidated. The calcium-transporting type 2C member 1 ATPase, SPCA1, is a Golgi-localized Ca²⁺-uptake transporter thought to support Golgi uptake of Mn²⁺ also. Here, we show using surface protein biotinylation, indirect immunofluorescence, and GFP-tagged proteins that cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ regulates ZIP8- and ZIP14-mediated manganese accumulation in human brain microvascular endothelial cells by increasing the plasma membrane localization of these transporters. We demonstrate that RNAi knockdown of SPCA1 expression results in an increase in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ levels. In turn, we found increased cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ enhances membrane-localized ZIP8 and ZIP14 and a subsequent increase in ⁵⁴Mn²⁺ uptake. Furthermore, overexpression of WT SPCA1 or a gain-of-function mutant resulted in a decrease in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ and ⁵⁴Mn²⁺ accumulation. While addition of Ca²⁺ positively regulated ZIP-mediated ⁵⁴Mn²⁺ uptake, we show chelation of Ca²⁺ diminished manganese transport. In conclusion, the modulation of ZIP8 and ZIP14 membrane cycling by cytoplasmic calcium is a novel finding and provides new insight into the regulation of the uptake of Mn²⁺ and other divalent metal ions–mediated ZIP metal transporters.

Characterization and functional analysis of zinc trafficking in the human fungal pathogen Candida parapsilosis

The zinc restriction and zinc toxicity are part of host defence, called nutritional immunity. The crucial role of zinc homeostasis in microbial survival within a host is established, but little is known about these processes in the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida parapsilosis. Our in silico predictions suggested the presence of at least six potential zinc transporters (ZnTs) in C. parapsilosis-orthologues of ZRC1, ZRT3 and ZRT101-but an orthologue of PRA1 zincophore was not found. In addition, we detected a species-specific gene expansion of the novel ZnT ZRT2, as we identified three orthologue genes in the genome of C. parapsilosis. Based on predictions, we created homozygous mutant strains of the potential ZnTs and characterized them. Despite the apparent gene expansion of ZRT2 in C. parapsilosis, only CpZRT21 was essential for growth in a zinc-depleted acidic environment, in addition we found that CpZrc1 is essential for zinc detoxification and also protects the fungi against the elimination of murine macrophages. Significantly, we demonstrated that C. parapsilosis forms zincosomes in a Zrc1-independent manner and zinc detoxification is mediated by the vacuolar importer CpZrc1. Our study defines the functions of C. parapsilosis ZnTs, including a species-specific survival and zinc detoxification system.

Iron, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

Disturbance of the brain homeostasis, either directly via the formation of abnormal proteins or cerebral hypo-perfusion, or indirectly via peripheral inflammation, will activate microglia to synthesise a variety of pro-inflammatory agents which may lead to inflammation and cell death. The pro-inflammatory cytokines will induce changes in the iron proteins responsible for maintaining iron homeostasis, such that increased amounts of iron will be deposited in cells in the brain. The generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which is directly involved in the inflammatory process, can significantly affect iron metabolism via their interaction with iron-regulatory proteins (IRPs). This underlies the importance of ensuring that iron is maintained in a form that can be kept under control; hence, the elegant mechanisms which have become increasingly well understood for regulating iron homeostasis. Therapeutic approaches to minimise the toxicity of iron include N-acetyl cysteine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds and iron chelation.

MCD Diet Rat Model Induces Alterations in Zinc and Iron during NAFLD Progression from Steatosis to Steatohepatitis

We evaluate the effects of the methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet on serum and hepatic zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) and their relationships with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their modulators (TIMPs and RECK) as well as hepatic fatty acids using male Wistar rats fed 2-, 4- and 8-week MCD diets. Serum and hepatic Zn decrease after an 8-week MCD diet. Serum Fe increases after an 8-week MCD diet and the same occurs for hepatic Fe. An increase in hepatic MMP activity, associated with a decrease in RECK and TIMPs, is found in the MCD 8-week group. Liver Fe shows a positive correlation versus MMPs and RECK, and an inverse correlation versus TIMPs. A positive correlation is found comparing liver Zn with stearic, vaccenic and arachidonic acids, and an inverse correlation is found with linolenic and docosatetraenoic acids. An opposite trend is found between liver Fe versus these fatty acids. During NAFLD progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis, MCD rats exhibit an increase in Zn and a decrease in Fe levels both in serum and tissue associated with alterations in hepatic MMPs and their inhibitors, and fatty acids. The correlations detected between Zn and Fe versus extracellular matrix modulators and fatty acids support their potential role as therapeutic targets.

Impact of Zinc Transport Mechanisms on Embryonic and Brain Development

The trace element zinc (Zn) binds to over ten percent of proteins in eukaryotic cells. Zn flexible chemistry allows it to regulate the activity of hundreds of enzymes and influence scores of metabolic processes in cells throughout the body. Deficiency of Zn in humans has a profound effect on development and in adults later in life, particularly in the brain, where Zn deficiency is linked to several neurological disorders. In this review, we will summarize the importance of Zn during development through a description of the outcomes of both genetic and early dietary Zn deficiency, focusing on the pathological consequences on the whole body and brain. The epidemiology and the symptomology of Zn deficiency in humans will be described, including the most studied inherited Zn deficiency disease, Acrodermatitis enteropathica. In addition, we will give an overview of the different forms and animal models of Zn deficiency, as well as the 24 Zn transporters, distributed into two families: the ZIPs and the ZnTs, which control the balance of Zn throughout the body. Lastly, we will describe the TRPM7 ion channel, which was recently shown to contribute to intestinal Zn absorption and has its own significant impact on early embryonic development.

ZIP14 is involved in iron deposition and triggers ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy

Ferroptosis is caused by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation and can cause cell death. Abnormally expressed iron transporters are involved in ferroptosis in a variety of diseases. ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 (ZIP14) is a transport protein that can mediate cellular uptake of iron, zinc and manganese. Herein, we have tested the hypothesis that the divalent metal transporter ZIP14 is involved in the initiation of ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN). DN was induced in eight-week old male rats by streptozotocin (STZ) before analysis of the degree of renal tubular injury. In addition, an in vitro model of DN in HK2 cells was used. We showed that ZIP14 was upregulated and Fe2+ levels increased both in vivo and in vitro. Expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the level of glutathione (GSH) were reduced, whereas that of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1) treatment reduced the expression of ZIP14 and the levels of Fe2+ and MDA, which is consistent with ferroptosis. Fer-1 improved kidney function in DN rats. This was characterized by urine levels of protein-to-creatinine ratio, α 1-microglobulin and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase. Our study demonstrates a novel role for ZIP14 in diabetic kidney injury mediated by ferroptosis, and suggests a potential new therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Nitric Oxide Mobilizes Intracellular Zn2+ via the GC/cGMP/PKG Signaling Pathway and Stimulates Adipocyte Differentiation

Plasma and tissue zinc ion levels are associated with the development of obesity. Previous studies have suggested that zinc ions may regulate adipocyte metabolism and that nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of adipocyte physiology. Our previous study showed that chronic NO deficiency causes a significant decrease in adipose tissue mass in rats. Studies also suggested that zinc ions play an important modulatory role in regulating NO function. This study aims to explore the role of zinc ions in NO-regulated adipocyte differentiation. We hypothesized that NO could increase intracellular Zn2+ level and then stimulate adipocyte differentiation. ZnCl2 and the NO donor, NONOate, were used to explore the effects of Zn2+ and NO on adipocyte differentiation. Regulatory mechanisms of NO on intracellular Zn2+ mobilization were determined by detection. Then, Zn2+-selective chelator TPEN was used to clarify the role of intracellular Zn2+ on NO-regulated adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, the relationship between adipocyte size, Zn2+ level, and NOS expression in human subcutaneous fat tissue was elucidated. Results showed that both ZnCl2 and NO stimulated adipocyte differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. NO stimulated intracellular Zn2+ mobilization in adipocytes through the guanylate cyclase (GC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG) pathway, and NO-stimulated adipocyte differentiation was Zn2+-dependent. In human subcutaneous adipose tissue, adipocyte size was negatively correlated with expression of eNOS. In conclusion, NO treatment stimulates intracellular Zn2+ mobilization through the GC/cGMP/PKG pathway, subsequently stimulating adipocyte differentiation.

Sophisticated expression responses of ZNT1 and MT in response to changes in the expression of ZIPs

The zinc homeostatic proteins Zn transporter 1 (ZNT1) and metallothionein (MT) function in dampening increases in cytosolic zinc concentrations. Conversely, the expression of ZNT1 and MT is expected to be suppressed during decreases in cytosolic zinc concentrations. Thus, ZNT1/MT homeostatic responses are considered to be essential for maintaining cellular zinc homeostasis because cellular zinc concentrations are readily altered by changes in the expression of several Zrt-/Irt-like proteins (ZIPs) under both physiological and pathological conditions. However, this notion remains to be tested experimentally. Here, we investigated the aforementioned homeostatic process by analyzing ZNT1 and MT protein expression in response to ZIP expression. Overexpression of cell-surface-localized ZIPs, such as ZIP4 and ZIP5, increased the cellular zinc content, which caused an increase in the expression of cell-surface ZNT1 and cytosolic MT in the absence of zinc supplementation in the culture medium. By contrast, elimination of the overexpressed ZIP4 and ZIP5 resulted in decreased expression of ZNT1 but not MT, which suggests that differential regulation of ZNT1 and MT expression at the protein level underlies the homeostatic responses necessary for zinc metabolism under certain conditions. Moreover, increased expression of apically localized ZIP4 facilitated basolateral ZNT1 expression in polarized cells, which indicates that such a coordinated expression mechanism is crucial for vectorial transcellular transport. Our results provide novel insights into the physiological maintenance of cellular zinc homeostasis in response to alterations in cytosolic zinc concentrations caused by changes in the expression of ZIPs.

Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

A higher risk for severe clinical courses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been linked to deficiencies of several micronutrients. We therefore studied the prevalence of deficiencies of eight different micronutrients in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19-patients.

METHODS

We measured admission serum/plasma levels of vitamins A, B12, D, and E, as well as folic acid, zinc, selenium, and copper in 57 consecutively admitted adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 and analyzed prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and correlations among micronutrient levels. Further, we studied associations of micronutrient levels with severe disease progression, a composite endpoint consisting of in-hospital mortality and/or need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment with logistic regression.

RESULTS

Median age was 67.0 years (IQR 60.0, 74.2) and 60% (n = 34) were male. Overall, 79% (n = 45) of patients had at least one deficient micronutrient level and 33% (n = 19) had ≥3 deficiencies. Most prevalent deficiencies were found for selenium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc (51%, 40%, 39%, and 39%, respectively). We found several correlations among micronutrients with correlation coefficients ranging from r = 0.27 to r = 0.42. The strongest associations with lower risk for severe COVID-19 disease progression (adjusted odds ratios) were found for higher levels of vitamin A (0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.69, p = 0.01), zinc (0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, p = 0.03), and folic acid (0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.98, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in mostly older patients hospitalized for COVID-19, particularly regarding selenium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc. Several deficiencies were associated with a higher risk for more severe COVID-19 courses. Whether supplementation of micronutrients is useful for prevention of severe clinical courses or treatment of COVID-19 warrants further research.

High Temperature-Induced Oxidative Stress Affects Systemic Zinc Homeostasis in Broilers by Regulating Zinc Transporters and Metallothionein in the Liver and Jejunum

To investigate the change in zinc homeostasis of broilers under heat stress, 512 broiler chickens were raised to the age of 28 days. The broilers were then assigned to heat stress and normal temperature (36.0°C vs. 26.0°C) groups for 7 days. The results showed that oxidative stress induced by high temperature had a negative effect on the growth performance of broilers. Heat stress altered zinc homeostasis and led to a redistribution of zinc in broilers, which was reflected in increased zinc concentrations in the jejunum, liver, and tibia. Upregulation of the expression of the zinc exporter ZnT1 and importers ZIP8 and ZIP14 in the jejunum indicated that more zinc was absorbed and transported from the jejunum into the blood, while the liver increased its capacity to hold zinc through upregulation of metallothionein (MT) expression, which was achieved by reducing ZnT1 expression and upregulating the expression of the importer ZIP3. The pathway was mediated by zinc transporters, but the capacity of MT to chelate and release zinc ions also played a crucial role. The mechanism of alterations in zinc homeostasis under heat stress was revealed by the changes in zinc transporters and MT levels in the intestine and liver. Heat stress also altered cecal microbial diversity and reduced the relative abundances of Bilophila and Dialister. In conclusion, broilers altered systemic zinc homeostasis through the regulation of zinc transporters and MT in the liver and jejunum to resist oxidative stress induced by high temperature.

Free Zinc as a Predictive Marker for COVID-19 Mortality Risk

Free zinc is considered to be the exchangeable and biological active form of zinc in serum, and is discussed to be a suitable biomarker for alterations in body zinc homeostasis and related diseases. Given that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a marked decrease in total serum zinc, and clinical data indicate that zinc status impacts the susceptibility and severity of the infection, we hypothesized that free zinc in serum might be altered in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and may reflect disease severity. To test this hypothesis, free zinc concentrations in serum samples of survivors and nonsurvivors of COVID-19 were analyzed by fluorometric microassay. Similar to the reported total serum zinc deficit measured by total reflection X-ray fluorescence, free serum zinc in COVID-19 patients was considerably lower than that in control subjects, and surviving patients displayed significantly higher levels of free zinc than those of nonsurvivors (mean ± SD; 0.4 ± 0.2 nM vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 nM; p = 0.0004). In contrast to recovering total zinc concentrations (r = 0.706, p < 0.001) or the declining copper−zinc ratio (r = −0.646; p < 0.001), free zinc concentrations remained unaltered with time in COVID-19 nonsurvivors. Free serum zinc concentrations were particularly low in male as compared to female patients (mean ± SD; 0.4 ± 0.2 nM vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 nM; p = 0.0003). This is of particular interest, as the male sex is described as a risk factor for severe COVID-19. Overall, results indicate that depressed free serum zinc levels are associated with increased risk of death in COVID-19, suggesting that free zinc may serve as a novel prognostic marker for the severity and course of COVID-19.

Zinc Deficiency Interacts with Intestinal/Urogenital Parasites in the Pathway to Anemia in Preschool Children, Bengo–Angola

In host organisms with normal micronutrient status, nutritional immunity is a strongly regulated response aiming at decreasing the progression and severity of infections. Zinc deficiency may disturb this balance, impairing immune responses to infections, which may indirectly increase infection-related anemia. Since zinc deficiency may associate directly with anemia, the role of infections is often overlooked. Herein, we investigated the participation of infections (or inflammation) in the causal pathway between zinc deficiency and anemia. This transversal study, conducted in 2015 in Bengo-Angola, enrolled 852 under-3-year-old children. Logistic regression models were used to investigate interaction and mediation effects, and significance was confirmed by the Sobel test. In sum, 6.8% of children had zinc deficiency, 45.9% had anemia, and 15.6% had at least one intestinal/urogenital parasite. Furthermore, we found (1) no evidence that inflammation mediates or interacts with zinc deficiency to cause anemia, and (2) zinc deficiency interacts with infections, significantly increasing the odds of anemia (OR: 13.26, p = 0.022). This interaction was stronger among children with iron deficiency anemia (OR: 46.66, p = 0.003). Our results suggest that zinc deficiency may impair the immune response to infections and/or that intestinal parasites could have developed mechanisms to avoid zinc-limited environments. Further studies are needed to corroborate these suggestions.

Aberrant Cerebral Iron Trafficking Co-morbid With Chronic Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms and Pharmacologic Intervention

The redox properties that make iron an essential nutrient also make iron an efficient pro-oxidant. Given this nascent cytotoxicity, iron homeostasis relies on a combination of iron transporters, chaperones, and redox buffers to manage the non-physiologic aqueous chemistry of this first-row transition metal. Although a mechanistic understanding of the link between brain iron accumulation (BIA) and neurodegenerative diseases is lacking, BIA is co-morbid with the majority of cognitive and motor function disorders. The most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), often present with increased deposition of iron into the brain. In addition, ataxias that are linked to mutations in mitochondrial-localized proteins (Friedreich's Ataxia, Spinocerebellar Ataxias) result in mitochondrial iron accumulation and degradation of proton-coupled ATP production leading to neuronal degeneration. A comorbidity common in the elderly is a chronic systemic inflammation mediated by primary cytokines released by macrophages, and acute phase proteins (APPs) released subsequently from the liver. Abluminal inflammation in the brain is found downstream as a result of activation of astrocytes and microglia. Reasonably, the iron that accumulates in the brain comes from the cerebral vasculature via the microvascular capillary endothelial cells whose tight junctions represent the blood-brain barrier. A premise amenable to experimental interrogation is that inflammatory stress alters both the trans- and para-cellular flux of iron at this barrier resulting in a net accumulation of abluminal iron over time. This review will summarize the evidence that lends support to this premise; indicate the mechanisms that merit delineation; and highlight possible therapeutic interventions based on this model.

Gustatory and Saliva Secretory Dysfunctions in COVID-19 Patients with Zinc Deficiency

Given the ever-progressing studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is critical to update our knowledge about COVID-19 symptomatology and pathophysiology. In the present narrative review, oral symptoms were overviewed using the latest data and their pathogenesis was hypothetically speculated. PubMed, LitCovid, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies from 1 April 2021 with a cutoff date of 31 January 2022. The literature search indicated that gustatory dysfunction and saliva secretory dysfunction are prevalent in COVID-19 patients and both dysfunctions persist after recovery from the disease, suggesting the pathogenic mechanism common to these cooccurring symptoms. COVID-19 patients are characterized by hypozincemia, in which zinc is possibly redistributed from blood to the liver at the expense of zinc in other tissues. If COVID-19 induces intracellular zinc deficiency, the activity of zinc-metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase localized in taste buds and salivary glands may be influenced to adversely affect gustatory and saliva secretory functions. Zinc-binding metallothioneins and zinc transporters, which cooperatively control cellular zinc homeostasis, are expressed in oral tissues participating in taste and saliva secretion. Their expression dysregulation associated with COVID-19-induced zinc deficiency may have some effect on oral functions. Zinc supplementation is expected to improve oral symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Assessment of the Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Moringa Leaf Extract in Periodontitis Cases through IL-6 Cytokine Analysis in Wistar (Rattus novergicus)

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes damage to the supporting structures of the teeth, and if left untreated, it can lead to impaired function, appearance, pain, and tooth loss. Periodontitis is caused by bacteria that adhere to and grow on the tooth surface. The “red complex” bacteria consisted of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia. These bacteria will trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an IL that acts both as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-6 is a stimulator for MMP production. To treat the periodontal disease can be through non-surgical therapy as well as surgical therapy, to maximize therapy, it is accompanied by antimicrobial therapy. However, because of the frequent use of antimicrobials, causing antimicrobial resistance in patients, the use of natural ingredients as additional therapy is very necessary for this study using Moringa leaves as a substitute for antimicrobials. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Moringa leaf in influencing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. The first benefit of this research is to provide scientific information in the field of dentistry regarding the effectiveness of Moringa leaves against red-complex bacteria P. gingivalis as a cause of chronic periodontitis through anti-inflammatory cytokine analysis. METHODS: The type of research that will be used is quasi-experimental with a post-test research design with a control group design. This study used a sample consisted of 30 Wistars (Rattus novergicus) and was divided into two groups based on periodontal tissue sampling as follows treatment group which was treated with extracts Moringa and control group with aquadest irrigation after bacterial induction in the gingival sulcus. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 and centrifuged obtain blood serum and serum cytokine levels (pg/mL) were quantified using a commercial ELISA IL-6 kit. RESULTS: This study obtained the results that there was a decrease in IL-6 in both groups on the 3rd day of observation (D3) where the treatment group given Moringa extract showed a greater decrease in IL-6 levels compared to the control group. There is a significant value in the comparison of IL-6 levels between the two groups with p-value: 0.000 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed the anti-inflammatory effect on inflammation induced by the bacterium P. gingivalis. M. oleifera extract can reduce the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 induced by P. gingivalis bacteria in periodontitis.

Zinc Levels Affect the Metabolic Switch of T Cells by Modulating Glucose Uptake and Insulin Receptor Signaling

SCOPE

T cell activation requires a metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis to rapidly provide substrates for biosynthesis. An individual's zinc status plays an important role in balancing the activation of T cells and is required for a proper function of immune cells. Furthermore, zinc plays an important role during effector T cell polarization to T helper cell subsets or regulatory T cells, with effector T cells relying on glycolysis and regulatory T cells on oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, we aimed to analyze if zinc also impacts on T cell activation on the level of intracellular metabolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used mixed lymphocyte culture and anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation as in vitro models for T cell activation to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation and deprivation on metabolic switching. We observed promoted glucose uptake, insulin receptor expression and signaling in both zinc conditions, whereas key metabolic enzymes were stimulated mainly by zinc deprivation. Alterations in cytokine production suggest an immune-activating effect of zinc deprivation and a balancing effect of zinc supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a supportive effect of both zinc supplementation and deprivation on the metabolic switch during T cell activation, adding another level of immune regulation by zinc. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Rebalancing the unbalanced aged immune system - A special focus on zinc

Nowadays, aging is understood as a dynamic and multifaceted dysregulation process that spares almost no human organ or cell. The immune system being among the most affected, it has been shown predominantly that its integrity determines the tightrope walk between the difference of escaping or suffering from age-related diseases. Next to drug-based anti-aging strategies, micronutrient intervention may represent an emerging but less radical way to slow immune aging. While a sufficient supply of a variety of micronutrients is undeniably important, adequate intake of the trace element zinc appears to tower over others in terms of reaching old age. Inconveniently, zinc deficiency prevalence among the elderly is high, which in turn contributes to increased susceptibility to infection, decreased anti-tumor immunity as well as attenuated response to vaccination. Driven by this research, this review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the various rebalancing capabilities of zinc in the unbalanced immune system of the elderly. This includes an in-depth and cell type-centered discussion on the role of zinc in immunosenescence and inflammaging. We further address upcoming translational aspects e.g. how zinc deficiency promotes the flourishing of certain pathogenic taxa of the gut microbiome and how zinc supply counteracts such alterations in a manner that may contribute to longevity. In the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we also briefly review current knowledge on the interdependency between age, zinc status, and respiratory infections. Based on two concrete examples and considering the latest findings in the field we conclude our remarks by outlining tremendous parallels between suboptimal zinc status and accelerated aging on the one hand and an optimized zinc status and successful aging on the other hand.

Computational insight of dexamethasone against potential targets of SARS-CoV-2

The health sector has been on the race to find a potent therapy for coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, a diseases caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2. Repurposed anti-viral drugs have played a huge role in combating the virus, and most recently, dexamethasone (Dex) have shown its therapeutic activity in severe cases of COVID-19 patients. The study sought to provide insights on the anti-COVID-19 mechanism of Dex at both atomic and molecular level against SARS-CoV-2 targets. Computational methods were employed to predict the binding affinity of Dex to SARS-CoV-2 using the Schrodinger suite (v2020-2). The target molecules and ligand (Dex) were retrieved from PDB and PubChem, respectively. The selected targets were SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), and host secreted molecules glucocorticoid receptor, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Critical analyses such as Protein and ligand preparation, molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), and toxicity analyses were performed using the targets and the ligand as inputs. Dex showed stronger affinity to its theoretical (glucocorticoid) receptor with a superior docking score of -14.7 and a good binding energy value of -147.48 kcal/mol; while short hydrogen bond distances were observed in both Mpro and IL-6 when compared to glucocorticoid receptor. Based on these findings, Dex-target complexes were used to perform MD simulations to analyze Dex stability at 50 ns. This study demonstrates that Dex could bind to both the viral and host receptors as a potential drug candidate for COVID-19. To ascertain the biological fitness of this study, other SARS-CoV-2 targets should be explored. Also, the in vitro studies of dexamethasone against several SARS-CoV-2 targets warrant further investigation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.