Zinc (Gluconate)

BACKGROUND: Vitamins and minerals play multiple functions within the central nervous system which may help to maintain brain health and optimal cognitive functioning. Supplementation of the diet with various vitamins and minerals has been suggested as a means of maintaining cognitive function, or even of preventing dementia, in later life. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on cognitive function in cognitively healthy people aged 40 years or more. SEARCH METHODS: We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's (CDCIG) specialised register, as well as MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO Portal/ICTRP from inception to 26th January 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that evaluated the cognitive effects on people aged 40 years or more of any vitamin or mineral supplements taken by mouth for at least three months. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessments were done in duplicate. Vitamins were considered broadly in the categories of B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins, and combinations of both. Minerals were considered separately, where possible. If interventions and outcomes were considered sufficiently similar, then data were pooled. In order to separate short-term cognitive effects from possible longer-term effects on the trajectory of cognitive decline, data were pooled for various treatment durations from 3 months to 12 months and up to 10 years or more. MAIN RESULTS: In total, we included 28 studies with more than 83,000 participants. There were some general limitations of the evidence. Most participants were enrolled in studies which were not designed primarily to assess cognition. These studies often had no baseline cognitive assessment and used only brief cognitive assessments at follow-up. Very few studies assessed the incidence of dementia. Most study reports did not mention adverse events or made only very general statements about them. Only 10 studies had a mean follow-up > 5 years. Only two studies had participants whose mean age was < 60 years at baseline. The risk of bias in the incl

OBJECTIVE: Children in developing countries are at a high risk for zinc deficiency. Supplemental zinc has previously been shown to provide therapeutic benefits in diarrhea. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of supplemental oral zinc therapy during recovery from acute or persistent diarrhea. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials to compare the efficacy and safety of supplementary oral zinc with placebo in children with acute and persistent diarrhea. Results were reported using a pooled relative risk or a weighted mean difference. A total of 22 studies were identified for inclusion: 16 examined acute diarrhea (n = 15,231), and 6 examined persistent diarrhea (n = 2968). RESULTS: Mean duration of acute diarrhea and persistent diarrhea was significantly lower for zinc compared with placebo. Presence of diarrhea between zinc and placebo at day 1 was not significantly different in acute diarrhea or persistent diarrhea trials. At day 3, presence was significantly lower for zinc in persistent diarrhea trials (n = 221) but not in acute diarrhea trials. Vomiting after therapy was significantly higher for zinc in 11 acute diarrhea trials (n = 4438) and 4 persistent diarrhea trials (n = 2969). Those who received zinc gluconate in comparison with zinc sulfate/acetate vomited more frequently. Overall, children who received zinc reported an 18.8% and 12.5% reduction in average stool frequency, 15.0% and 15.5% shortening of diarrhea duration, and a 17.9% and 18.0% probability of reducing diarrhea over placebo in acute and persistent trials, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation reduces the duration and severity of acute and persistent diarrhea; however, the mechanisms by which zinc exerts its antidiarrheal effect have not been fully elucidated.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Dermocosmetics have proven their benefit in acne management. However, only very few studies investigated their efficacy kinetics. This study assessed the efficacy kinetics of a dermocosmetic cream (DC) containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis in subjects with acne. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 16 subjects (14 women, 2 men; mean age 29.4 ± 7.7 years; phototype II and III) with mild to moderate acne participated in a randomized, intra-individual, split-face study for 15 days. Hemi-faces randomly received DC or remained untreated. Assessments included lesion counts, acne severity, and local tolerance; subjects also rated the perceived benefit of the DC. Efficacy was also evaluated using standardized multi-modality full-face imaging and a mobile connected imaging system. RESULTS: The inflammatory lesion count significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with DC at Day 8 and Day 15; a significant decrease of the non-inflammatory lesion count was observed at Day 15 (p < 0.01). The total lesion count had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with DC at Day 8 and Day 15. Between-side differences were significant (all p ≤ 0.05) for all lesion types at D15. Local tolerance was good. Most subjects considered that their skin appearance and the visibility of acne lesions had improved. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study provides strong evidence on the efficacy kinetics of a DC cream in acne management in subjects with fair skin tones. It shows that early, daily and specific treatment with a targeted DC significantly improves all acne lesions type, as well as acne severity as soon as 15 days. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Background: Low levels of zinc are prevalent in patients living with HIV and are associated with higher morbidity. Zinc has major immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory and gut integrity markers and on zinc levels among HIV patients with zinc deficiency. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation on inflammation and gut markers in people with HIV (PWH) ≥ 18 years old, on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) with undetectable HIV-1 viral load, and with zinc levels of ≤0.75 mg/L. Participants were randomized 2:1 to zinc gluconate tablets at a dose of 90 mg of elemental zinc or a matching placebo daily for 24 weeks. At baseline and at week 24, we measured plasma levels of zinc and markers of inflammation and gut barrier integrity. Results: Among the 95 participants enrolled in this study, 74% were male, and 65% were non-white, with a median CD4 count of 722 cells/μL. The primary analysis showed an increase in zinc levels in the active group. A decrease in the monocyte activation marker soluble CD14 was observed in the treatment group at -56.31 ng/mL (-263.24; 134.19), compared to an increase in the placebo group of 101.71 ng/mL (-90.50; 243.20); p = 0.021. The stratified analysis showed that the group with the lowest zinc levels at baseline had the greatest improvements in soluble CD14 levels during zinc supplementation. No changes were seen in other inflammation markers or gut integrity markers. Conclusions: This is the most comprehensive study on the effect of zinc supplementation in PWH on inflammatory and gut integrity markers. Decreases were seen in the monocyte activation marker sCD14. In the contemporary HIV era with potent effective therapies, suppressed viremia, and high CD4 cells, zinc supplementation does not offer consistent benefits on inflammation.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of the combined administration of myo-inositol and zinc, a mineral involved in the insulin pathway, in paediatric obesity with insulin resistance on HOMA-IR, glucose-insulin metabolism, and lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted in North Italy. Fifty-six patients (10-18 years, Tanner stage ≥3) with obesity and insulin resistance were randomized to myo-inositol (2000 mg), zinc gluconate (5 mg), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) from plant-based origin (1000 mg) (TRT) or placebo (PLC) containing only GOS from plant-based origin (1000 mg). All patients received an isocaloric diet following the Mediterranean diet style. Data were collected at baseline (V0) and after 3 months (V1). The primary outcome was the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Fifty out of 56 recruited subjects completed the study. TRT improved HDL cholesterol level compared to PLC (p = 0.05) but not insulin resistance. A stratified post hoc analysis was performed by sex, BMI, and subgroups of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Subjects were divided for obesity grade, fasting insulin (p = 0.0137) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.0273) were lower in TRT than in PLC patients, with a greater effect on severe obesity. No adverse events were detected. CONCLUSION: Three months of supplementation with myo-inositol and zinc were beneficial on lipid profile and in managing obesity complications at least in subjects with severe phenotype. Thus, myo-inositol and zinc could be used as non-pharmacological agents. This work suggests a long-term study with a larger sample size to enrich the findings. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Postbiotics could exert different metabolic activities in animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in humans affected by metabolic syndrome. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial that enrolled a sample of 50 Caucasian healthy individuals with NAFLD, defined as liver steatosis, and metabolic syndrome. After a 4-week run-in, the enrolled individuals were randomized to take a food for special medical purposes with functional release, one tablet a day, containing calcium butyrate (500 mg/tablet), zinc gluconate (zinc 5 mg/tablet), and vitamin D3 (500 IU/tablet), or an identical placebo for 3 months. Liver and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. No subject experienced any adverse events during the trial. In both groups, a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) plasma levels was observed at the randomization visit vs. pre-run-in visit (p < 0.05). Regarding liver parameters, after treatment, the fatty liver index (FLI) improved significantly vs. baseline values (p < 0.05) and vs. placebo group (p < 0.05) in the active treatment group, and the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) improved significantly vs. baseline values (p < 0.05). Moreover, after active treatment, TC, TG, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gGT) improved significantly vs. baseline values (p < 0.05), and TC and TG improved vs. placebo group (p < 0.05), as well. In the placebo group, liver parameters remained unchanged after treatment; only TG improved significantly vs. baseline values (p < 0.05). In our study, we observed that the butyrate-based formula improved FLI and plasma lipid patterns in individuals affected by liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome.

Evidence of the effectiveness of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and physical function parameters in people with overweight and obesity is scarce, while the effects of zinc and selenium on thyroid function and body composition are still a topic of debate and controversy. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial was to examine the effects of a hypocaloric diet and Se-Zn co-supplementation on RMR, thyroid function, body composition, physical fitness, and functional capacity in overweight or obese individuals. Twenty-eight overweight-obese participants (mean BMI: 29.4 ± 4.7) were randomly allocated (1:1) to the supplementation group (n = 14, 31.1 ± 5.5 yrs, 9 females) and the placebo group (n = 14, 32.1 ± 4.8 yrs, 6 females). The participants received Zn (25 mg of zinc gluconate/day) and Se (200 mcg of L-selenomethionine/day) or placebo tablets containing starch for eight weeks. The participants of both groups followed a hypocaloric diet during the intervention. RMR, thyroid function, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and functional capacity (sit-to-stand tests, timed up-and-go test, and handgrip strength) were assessed before and after the intervention. A significant interaction was found between supplementation and time on RMR (p = 0.045), with the intervention group's RMR increasing from 1923 ± 440 to 2364 ± 410 kcal/day. On the other hand, no interaction between supplementation and time on the thyroid function was found (p > 0.05). Regarding the effects of Zn/Se co-administration on Se levels, a significant interaction between supplementation and time on Se levels was detected (p = 0.004). Specifically, the intervention group's Se serum levels were increased from 83.04 ± 13.59 to 119.40 ± 23.93 μg/L. However, Zn serum levels did not change over time (90.61 ± 23.23 to 89.58 ± 10.61 umol/L). Even though all body composition outcomes improved in the intervention group more than placebo at the second measurement, no supplement × time interaction was detected on body composition (p > 0.05). Cardiorespiratory fitness did not change over the intervention. Yet, a main effect of time was found

BACKGROUND: Evidence show that the recommended dose of zinc may not be sufficient for controlling pathological conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the oxidative status in overweight T2DM. In addition, the routine glycaemic parameters were determined and compared in zinc-treated and placebo groups. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 70 patients with T2DM were selected. They were divided into two groups for supplementation of 50 mg zinc gluconate or placebo (zinc group, n=35; placebo group, n=35) per day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from all the individuals in the zinc group and controls for analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that zinc supplementation to patients with T2DM for 8 weeks significantly inhibited serum levels of lipid peroxidation (25%), nitrotyrosine (30%) and total oxidant status levels (25%, p<0.05). Nevertheless, the total antioxidant capacity was significantly elevated (16%) following zinc intake by patients with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: These data, together with our previous report, may suggest that the control in the glycaemic condition in overweight patients with T2DM is correlated with the antioxidative/oxidative balance following intake of 50 mg zinc supplementation for 8 weeks. Under these circumstances, the clinical and glycaemic indices, including fasting blood glucose, insulin, haemoglobin A1c and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance, were controlled. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2015083102. © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Postgraduate Medical Journal. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

119. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 13;15(8):1885. doi: 10.3390/nu15081885. Preliminary Comparison of Fractional Absorption of Zinc Sulphate, Zinc Gluconate, and Zinc Aspartate after Oral Supple-Mentation in Healthy Human Volunteers. Piacenza F(1), Giacconi R(1), Costarelli L(1), Malavolta M(1). Author information: (1)National Institute of Research and Care of Aging IRCCS INRCA, 60124 Ancona AN, Italy. (1) Background: Zinc is generally used as a nutritional supplement for individuals at nutritional risk, such as older adults. This preliminary study investigated the fractional Zn absorption (FZA) after the supplementation on eight healthy volunteers with three different Zn complexes acquired with milk. (2) Methods: The design was a double-blind, three-period crossover trial. The volunteers were randomly divided into three groups. Each individual consumed 200 mL of bovine milk and rotated through a simultaneous administration of a single oral dose of 70ZnSO4, 70Zn-Gluconate (70Zn-Glu), and 70Zn-Aspartate (70Zn-Asp), equivalent to 2.0 mg 70Zn, followed by 2 weeks of wash-out. An estimation of the FZA for comparative purposes was computed by the isotopic ratio between 66Zn and 70Zn in urine collected before and 48 h after administration. (3) Results: The estimated FZA was found to be significantly higher for 70Zn-Asp when compared to the other forms, while the FZA of 70Zn-Glu was found to be significantly higher than 70ZnSO4. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that complexing Zn with aspartate in milk could be a useful tool to improve FZA in individuals at risk of Zn deficiency. These results provide a rationale for conducting further studies on Zn-Asp preparations. DOI: 10.3390/nu15081885 PMCID: PMC10145390 PMID: 37111104 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Anogenital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection causing economic and psychosocial issues. Efficacy of zinc has been proved in treating nongenital warts, but its role in treating anogenital warts is not clear. This study was conducted to assess whether oral zinc gluconate in combination with cryotherapy effectively treated anogenital warts. A randomized double-blind, split-side, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 50 patients suffering from genital warts. The patients were treated for 2 months with a combination of four sessions of cryotherapy and oral zinc gluconate versus placebos. Follow-up was performed at every 2 weeks based on the number of warts. The number of genital warts reduced significantly in both groups during treatment with cryotherapy, but no significant differences were observed between treatment with zinc and placebo. Patients in the zinc gluconate group reported significantly higher gastrointestinal adverse effects than those in the placebo group. This indicates that using oral zinc gluconate appeared to have no significant advantage over placebo in treating and reducing the number of genital warts; however, a longer duration of follow-up and pre-intervention serum level of zinc were necessary to evaluate the role of oral zinc therapy. (SKINmed. 2023;21:21-26).

Zinc inhibits intestinal copper uptake, an effect utilized for treating Wilson's disease (WD). We used copper-64 (64Cu) PET/CT to examine how much four weeks of treatment with different zinc regimens reduced the hepatic 64Cu content after oral 64Cu administration and test if alternative regimens were noninferior to the standard regimen of zinc acetate 50 mg × 3 daily. Forty healthy persons were randomized to four different zinc protocols. The WD standard treatment zinc acetate 50 mg × 3 reduced the hepatic 64Cu content from 26.9 ± 7.5% to 13.3 ± 5.6% of the administered 64Cu. Zinc gluconate 50 mg × 3 was noninferior (P = 0.02) (35.8 ± 9.0% to 17.4 ± 7.5%). Zinc acetate 150 mg × 1 (33.1 ± 9.9% to 17.4 ± 7.5%) and zinc gluconate 150 mg × 1 (28.1 ± 6.7% to 22.0 ± 6.7%) were less effective. These effects were intra- and inter-individually highly variable, and 14% had no effect of any zinc regimen, which may explain disparities in zinc treatment efficacy in WD patients. © 2022. The Author(s).

Anemia is one of the most frequent and earliest complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which impacts a patient’s quality of life and increases the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Patients’ inflammatory status is strictly related to the occurrence of functional iron deficiency anemia (IDA) because this causes an increase in hepcidin levels with the consequent inhibition of iron absorption and release from cellular stores into blood circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the new oral formulation based on ferric sodium EDTA in combination with vitamin C, folic acid, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate, and selenomethionine (Ferachel Forte®) in patients with moderate CKD and functional IDA, analyzing the inflammatory status in addition to iron blood parameters, in comparison with oral ferrous sulfate and liposomal iron therapies. Sixty-two elderly patients were randomly allocated to one of the following oral treatments for 6 months: ferrous sulfate (Group 1; N = 20), ferric sodium EDTA in combination (Group 2; N = 22), and ferric liposomal formulation (Group 3; N = 20). The evaluated parameters included iron profile parameters of hemoglobin (Hb), sideremia, ferritin, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hepcidin. The results showed that in Group 1, there were no improvements. In Group 2, there were statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvements in all evaluated parameters. Finally, in Group 3, there were significant improvements in all evaluated parameters except for hepcidin, which was less than that of Group 2 patients. In conclusion, the findings showed the superior efficacy of the formulation based on ferric sodium EDTA over the other oral iron sources, and that this formulation can contribute to reducing the systemic inflammatory status in patients with CKD.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence induced by magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and zinc gluconate (ZnG) supplementation on liver and kidney injuries experimentally induced with acetaminophen (AAPh) and potentiated by a ciprofloxacin addition in rats. Material and Methods: The experiment was performed on five animal groups: group 1-control, treated for 6 weeks with normal saline, 1 mL/kg; group 2-AAPh, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh, 100 mg/kg/day; group 3-AAPh + C, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh 100 mg/kg/day and ciprofloxacin 50 mg/kg/day, only in the last 14 days of the experiment; group 4-AAPh + C + Mg, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, MgCl2 10 mg/ kg/day was added; and group 5-AAPh + C + Zn, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, zinc gluconate (ZnG), 10 mg/kg/day was added. All administrations were performed by oral gavage. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemistry examinations. Results: Treatment with AAPh for 6 weeks determined an alteration of the liver function (increases in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase) and of renal function (increases in serum urea and creatinine) (p < 0.001 group 2 vs. group 1 for all mentioned parameters). Furthermore, the antioxidant defense capacity was impaired in group 2 vs. group 1 (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased in group 2 vs. group 1, at 0.001 < p < 0.01 and 0.01 < p < 0.05, respectively). The addition of ciprofloxacin, 50 mg/kg/day during the last 14 days, resulted in further increases in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine (0.01 < p < 0.05, group 3 vs. group 2). MgCl2 provided a slight protection against the increase in liver enzymes, and a more pronounced protection against the increase in serum urea and creatinine (0.001 < p < 0.01 group 4 vs. group 3). MgCl2 provided a slight protection against the decrease in superoxide dismutase (0.01 < p < 0.05 group 4 vs. group 3), but not against decrease

BACKGROUND: There is a clinical need for new therapeutic products against Herpes simplex virus (HSV). The pomegranate, fruit of the tree Punica granatum L, has since ancient times been linked to activity against infection. This work probed the activity of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and co-administered zinc (II) ions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRE was used in conjunction with zinc (II) salts to challenge HSV-1 and aciclovir-resistant HSV in terms of virucidal plaque assay reduction and antiviral activities in epithelial Vero host cells. Cytotoxicity was determined by the MTS assay using a commercial kit. RESULTS: Zinc sulphate, zinc citrate, zinc stearate and zinc gluconate demonstrated similar potentiated virucidal activity with PRE against HSV-1 by up to 4-fold. A generally parabolic relationship was observed when HSV-1 was challenged with PRE and varying concentrations of ZnSO4, with a maximum potentiation factor of 5.5. Punicalagin had 8-fold greater virucidal activity than an equivalent mass of PRE. However, antiviral data showed that punicalagin had significantly lower antiviral activity compared to the activity of PRE (EC50 = 0.56 μg mL-1) a value comparable to aciclovir (EC50 = 0.18 μg mL-1); however, PRE also demonstrated potency against aciclovir-resistant HSV (EC50 = 0.02 μg mL-1), whereas aciclovir showed no activity. Antiviral action of PRE was not influenced by ZnSO4. No cytotoxicity was detected with any test solution. CONCLUSIONS: The potentiated virucidal activity of PRE by coadministered zinc (II) has potential as a multi-action novel topical therapeutic agent against HSV infections, such as coldsores.

The objective was to determine whether the efficacy of zinc gluconate (Testoblock(®)) as a chemical contraceptive in male dogs was compromised in the presence of metamizole sodium (a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory/analgesic agent). Ten sexually mature mongrel dogs were assigned to two groups, a control group (n = 5) and a treated group (n = 5). Testoblock(®), a proprietary zinc-gluconate (13.1 mg zinc/ml) solution in a physiological vehicle, was injected into each testis (0.2-1.0 ml/testis, based on testis width). Half of the dogs (treated group) were also given metamizole sodium (also known as sodium dipyrone) orally (25mg/kg three times a day for 2 days), starting 2-3 h after testis injection. A physical examination and assessment of testis width, hematology, clinical chemistry (hepatic and renal function) and semen characteristics, were done immediately after treatment and then every 2 months for 180 days. There was no post-treatment scrotal biting or licking, although there was transient testicular swelling in both control and treated dogs during the first 3 days after injection. At 60 days after injection, all dogs were azoospermic. At 120 and 180 days, seven dogs had azoospermia and the remaining three (two control and one treated) had apparent aspermia (no ejaculate could be collected). There were no significant differences between groups for clinical findings or any aspect of hematology, renal, or hepatic function. In conclusion, giving metamizole sodium concurrent with an intra-testicular injection of a zinc-based solution did not interfere with chemical sterilization and it improved animal welfare.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial effects of an o-cymen-5-ol/zinc system. METHODS: o-Cymen-5-ol and zinc gluconate minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Candida albicans. Synergy was investigated by checkerboard MIC/MBC; inhibition of P. gingivalis protease activity and S. mutans glycolysis were investigated. Slurried toothpastes containing the system were assessed in kill time assays against S. mutans and E. coli. RESULTS: o-Cymen-5-ol MIC was between 1.7 mM to 3.4 mM; MBC was 3.4 mM to 6.7 mM. Zinc gluconate MIC was 2.8 mM to 11 mM; MBC was between 11 mM and >44 mM. The two agents in solution showed synergy (FICI≤0.50) against P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, with MIC of 0.42 mM/0.69 mM for o-cymen-5-ol/zinc gluconate, respectively. Zinc inhibited glycolysis and protease to a greater degree than o-cymen-5-ol; glycolysis inhibition by the two agents was additive. o-Cymen-5-ol/zinc chloride in toothpaste showed greater effects than placebo (120s log10 kill=7.35±0.40 and 4.02±0.40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The zinc/o-cymen-5-ol system has direct antimicrobial effects and inhibits oral disease-related processes. Synergistic effects were seen against anaerobes. A system combining o-cymen-5-ol and zinc shows properties desirable for incorporation in toothpastes. © 2011 FDI World Dental Federation.

Several controlled clinical trials have shown that zinc gluconate glycine lozenges can reduce symptom severity and duration of symptoms in patients with the common cold. Over-the-counter zinc lozenges are used commonly by the general population, including people with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of sugar-free Cold-Eeze (The Quigley Corp., Doylestown, PA), a commonly used zinc preparation, on glucose control in patients maintained on stable antidiabetic therapy. Forty-eight patients with either type 1 (n = 3) or type 2 (n = 45) diabetes were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive either zinc lozenges (four to six lozenges/day for 10 days) or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was change in serum fructosamine concentration. Secondary endpoints included daily home glucose and fasting blood glucose monitoring (baseline, days 10 and 21). The mean age for all patients was 54 years (range, 25 to 76), with slightly more women (60%). The treatment groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, body mass index, duration of diabetes, baseline hemoglobin A1C level, or fasting plasma glucose level. The patients treated with placebo (n = 13) and zinc (n = 34) had similar fructosamine levels (mean +/- SD) at baseline (318 +/- 90 versus 297 +/- 86 micromol/l, respectively). After 10 days of dosing, both groups showed modest reductions in serum fructosamine (-7 +/- 42 and -9 +/- 90 micromol/l). These changes were not statistically significant. In conclusion, these findings suggest that sugar-free zinc lozenges can be administered safely to patients with diabetes without deleterious effects on glycemic control.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and critique the medical literature on the use of zinc lozenges for treatment of the common cold. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE searches (January 1966-June 1997) identified human clinical trials on the use of zinc lozenges for the treatment of the common cold. Bibliographies were also reviewed for relevant articles. STUDY SELECTION: Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of zinc lozenges in adults for the treatment of the common cold, with the clinical end points of reduction in duration and/or severity of cold symptoms. DATA EXTRACTION: All double-blind placebo-controlled, human clinical trials on the use of zinc lozenges for the treatment of the common cold were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: The use of zinc lozenges in the treatment of the common cold has been suggested to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. Of eight double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, four found zinc lozenges to be effective, while the other four reported no difference between zinc and placebo therapy. Potential reasons for the discrepancy between the results of these trials include inadequate placebo control, formulation of the lozenge, and the dose of zinc used. Common adverse effects include unpleasant taste, mouth irritation, and nausea. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges, using adequate doses of elemental zinc, may be effective in reducing duration and severity of cold symptoms. The benefit appears to be maximal if the lozenges are started immediately after the onset of symptoms. The formulation of the lozenges also appears to be important because the addition of citric acid or tartaric acid may reduce efficacy due to chelation of zinc ion. Although zinc gluconate lozenges have dominated clinical trials thus far, further studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of zinc acetate lozenges and to determine whether their adverse effect profile is more favorable to that of zinc gluconate lozenges. Patients should play an important role in the decision-making process and must decide whether the benefit gained from treatment with zinc lozenges outweighs the potential adverse effects.

1. The comparative protective abilities of zinc L-methionine, zinc DL-methionine, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, L-methionine, DL-methionine, and vitamin E succinate (VES) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, and glutathione depletion in the hepatic and brain tissues, and production of reactive oxygen species by peritoneal macrophages were assessed. In addition, mice were fed a zinc-deficient diet for 5 weeks, and treated with TPA and/or zinc L-methionine or zinc DL-methionine, and similar studies were conducted. 2. The zinc-deficient diet induced oxidative stress in the hepatic and brain tissues as well as in the peritoneal macrophages as evidenced by significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation. DNA fragmentation, glutathione depletion, and production of reactive oxygen species. 3. Treatment of mice with zinc L-methionine, zinc DL-methionine, and VES decreased TPA-induced reactive oxygen species production as evidenced by significant decreases in chemiluminescence in peritoneal macrophages by approximately 45%, 31%, and 47%, respectively, and cytochrome c reduction by approximately 54%, 35%, and 41%, respectively, as compared with control values. Similar results were observed with liver and brain lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, and glutathione depletion. 4. Zinc salts and antioxidants provided significant protection against TPA-induced oxidative damage. Zinc L-methionine provided the best protection.

BACKGROUND: The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral respiratory illness. Symptoms include nasal congestion and mucus discharge, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and general malaise. Given the frequency of colds, they are a public health burden and a significant cause of lost work productivity and school absenteeism. There are no established interventions to prevent colds or shorten their duration. However, zinc supplements are commonly recommended and taken for this purpose. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and LILACS to 22 May 2023, and searched Web of Science Core Collection and two trials registries to 14 June 2023. We also used reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in children or adults that tested any form of zinc against placebo to prevent or treat the common cold or upper respiratory infection (URTI). We excluded zinc interventions in which zinc was combined with other minerals, vitamins, or herbs (e.g. a multivitamin, or mineral supplement containing zinc). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess risks of bias, and GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. We independently extracted data. When necessary, we contacted study authors for additional information. We assessed zinc (type and route) with placebo in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Primary outcomes included the proportion of participants developing colds (for analyses of prevention trials only), duration of cold (measured in days from start to resolution of the cold), adverse events potentially due to zinc supplements (e.g. unpleasant taste, loss of smell, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea), and adverse events considered to be potential complications of the common cold (e.g. respiratory bacterial infections). MAIN RESULTS: We included 34 studies (15 prevention, 19 treatment) involving 8526 participants. Twenty-two studies were conducted on adults and 12 stu

BACKGROUND: Anorexia in children can cause malnutrition, low immunity, growth retardation, and various secondary infections, resulting in a huge burden on society. In East Asia, Chuna manual therapy has been widely used for the treatment of childhood anorexia. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of Chuna manual therapy for treating childhood anorexia. METHODS: Twelve databases were comprehensively searched from their inception to September 13, 2022. Only randomized controlled trials assessing Chuna manual therapy for the treatment of childhood anorexia were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The quality of evidence for each main outcome was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation approach. A meta-analysis was performed, and the pooled data were presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-five RCTs involving 2230 participants were included. The meta-analysis showed that Chuna manual therapy had a higher total effective rate (TER) based on anorexia symptoms than that of lysine inositol and vitamin B12 (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.28-1.84), multi-enzyme and multi-vitamin (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11-1.33), and zinc calcium gluconate (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39). There was no significant difference in total effective rate between Chuna manual therapy and zinc gluconate plus lysine. No adverse events associated with Chuna manual therapy were reported. Overall, the included studies had an unclear risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was generally moderate to low. CONCLUSION: Current evidence showed that Chuna manual therapy may be effective and safe for improving anorexia symptoms, especially compared with lysine inositol and vitamin B12, multi-enzyme plus multi-vitamin, and zinc calcium gluconate. However, owing to the low methodological quality of the included studies, more rigorous, high-quality RCTs are required on this topic.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is frequently seen condition in the NICU. Oral zinc has been tried for the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia. AIMS: To evaluate the role of oral zinc supplementation for reduction of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term and preterm infants. METHOD: The literature search was done for various randomized control trial (RCT) by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Index Copernicus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Thomson Reuters (ESCI), Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) and other data base. RESULTS: This review included six RCT that fulfilled inclusion criteria. One study evaluated the role of zinc in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and remaining enrolled neonates ≥35 weeks of gestation. The dose of zinc varied from 5 to 20 mg/day and duration from 5-7 days. All the studies used zinc sulfate, only one study used zinc gluconate. The total neonates enrolled in these different RCT are 749. CONCLUSION: Role of zinc in the prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is not supported by the current evidence. Only one study was able to show reduction in the mean TSB level and requirement of phototherapy with zinc, and the remaining studies did not report any positive effect. None of the studies showed any effect on the duration of phototherapy, incidence of phototherapy, age of starting of phototherapy and any serious adverse effect.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is frequently seen condition in the NICU. Oral zinc has been tried for the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia. AIMS: To evaluate the role of oral zinc supplementation for reduction of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term and preterm infants. METHOD: The literature search was done for various randomized control trial (RCT) by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Index Copernicus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Thomson Reuters (ESCI), Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) and other data base. RESULTS: This review included six RCT that fulfilled inclusion criteria. One study evaluated the role of zinc in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and remaining enrolled neonates ≥35 weeks of gestation. The dose of zinc varied from 5 to 20 mg/day and duration from 5-7 days. All the studies used zinc sulfate, only one study used zinc gluconate. The total neonates enrolled in these different RCT are 749. CONCLUSION: Role of zinc in the prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is not supported by the current evidence. Only one study was able to show reduction in the mean TSB level and requirement of phototherapy with zinc, and the remaining studies did not report any positive effect. None of the studies showed any effect on the duration of phototherapy, incidence of phototherapy, age of starting of phototherapy and any serious adverse effect. [Zinc acetate hydrate--oral administration (Wilzin)]. [Article in French] [No authors listed]