Ripa S, Ripa R
Istituto di Clinica Medica Generale, Università di Ferrara.
Minerva Med. 1994 Dec;85(12):647-54.
The relationship between zinc and atherosclerosis is reviewed. Administration of strong doses of the mineral can turn out atherogenic through three mechanisms: 1. Through the alterations of the lipidic arrangement: decrease of HDL, increase of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (action promoted by the induced hypocupremia). 2. Through the alterations of the vasal wall, in consequence of the biochemical modifications of the basic substance (again, through secondary hypocupremia). 3. Through the increased platelet aggregation which seems to be produced by strong doses of zinc. In addition to these harmful actions, the antioxidative action, typical of zinc, must be stressed, which prevents oxidation of LDL and consequently stops the main mechanism of atherogenesis. Besides, the mineral restricts and nullifies the loss of metallothionein in zinc, produced by free radicals and subsequent functional alterations. Moreover, the calcium antagonist action of zinc must be considered: it blocks calcium and its several favorable actions on atherogenesis. In consideration of these last aspects, the rule of zinc, in suitable doses, could be considered as basic in the context of a strategy of prophylaxis and therapy of the atherosclerosis process.
本文综述了锌与动脉粥样硬化之间的关系。大剂量补充锌可能通过三种机制导致动脉粥样硬化：1. 通过改变脂质分布：高密度脂蛋白降低，总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高（这种作用由诱导的低铜血症促进）。2. 通过血管壁的改变，这是由于基质的生化改变所致（同样是通过继发性低铜血症）。3. 通过大剂量锌导致的血小板聚集增加。除了这些有害作用外，还必须强调锌具有的抗氧化作用，它可防止低密度脂蛋白氧化，从而阻断动脉粥样硬化的主要机制。此外，锌可限制并消除自由基产生的锌中金属硫蛋白的损失以及随后的功能改变。此外，还必须考虑锌的钙拮抗剂作用：它可阻断钙及其对动脉粥样硬化的多种有利作用。鉴于这些最后提到的方面，在动脉粥样硬化进程的预防和治疗策略中，适当剂量的锌的作用可被视为基础。
