Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Street, P.O. Box 51666-14711, Tabriz, Iran.
Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2022 Jun;200(6):2556-2571. doi: 10.1007/s12011-021-02859-z. Epub 2021 Aug 9.
Influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-COV2 are among the most dangerous respiratory viruses. Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients and is very important in the immune system. The aim of this narrative review is to review the most interesting findings about the importance of zinc in the anti-viral immune response in the respiratory tract and defense against influenza, RSV, and SARS-COV2 infections. The most interesting findings on the role of zinc in regulating immunity in the respiratory tract and the relationship between zinc and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are reviewed, as well. Besides, current findings regarding the relationship between zinc and the effectiveness of respiratory viruses' vaccines are reviewed. The results of reviewed studies have shown that zinc and some zinc-dependent proteins are involved in anti-viral defense and immune regulation in the respiratory tract. It seems that zinc can reduce the viral titer following influenza infection. Zinc may reduce RSV burden in the lungs. Zinc can be effective in reducing the duration of viral pneumonia symptoms. Zinc may enhance the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in reducing mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Besides, zinc has a positive effect in preventing ARDS and ventilator-induced lung damage. The relationship between zinc levels and the effectiveness of respiratory viruses' vaccines, especially influenza vaccines, is still unclear, and the findings are somewhat contradictory. In conclusion, zinc has anti-viral properties and is important in defending against respiratory viral infections and regulating the immune response in the respiratory tract.
流感病毒、呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）和 SARS-COV2 是最危险的呼吸道病毒之一。锌是一种必需的微量营养素，在免疫系统中非常重要。本综述的目的是回顾锌在呼吸道抗病毒免疫反应中的重要性以及抵抗流感、RSV 和 SARS-COV2 感染的最有趣发现。还回顾了锌在调节呼吸道免疫和锌与急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）之间关系中的作用的最有趣发现。此外，还回顾了关于锌与呼吸道病毒疫苗有效性之间关系的当前发现。综述研究的结果表明，锌和一些依赖锌的蛋白质参与了呼吸道的抗病毒防御和免疫调节。锌似乎可以降低流感感染后的病毒滴度。锌可能会降低 RSV 在肺部的负担。锌可以有效缩短病毒肺炎症状的持续时间。锌可能会增强羟氯喹在降低 COVID-19 患者死亡率方面的效果。此外，锌对预防 ARDS 和呼吸机引起的肺损伤有积极作用。锌水平与呼吸道病毒疫苗（尤其是流感疫苗）有效性之间的关系尚不清楚，而且发现结果有些相互矛盾。总之，锌具有抗病毒特性，对于抵抗呼吸道病毒感染和调节呼吸道免疫反应非常重要。
