PRIYANKA CHAKRABORTY, AMITY UNIVERSITY KOLKATA
Recently, researchers from various universities in Spain hypothesized that serum zinc level had a particular influence on COVID-19 patients, further stating it as a useful biomarker in predicting COVID-19 in its’ early stage. In an observational study of 249 COVID-19 patients to identify the severity of the disease and to analyze the replication of the virus on various levels of zinc concentrations were made and a correlation between the serum zinc levels and COVID virus spread was found. It is now believed that patients with zinc concentrations less than 50 mcg/dl show worse clinical result and the stability of these patients is at risk. The patients with zinc deficiency also showed a higher mortality rate and hence the researchers concluded that low zinc level is directly related to the of the COVID virus.
As well-known zinc is a trace element that supports various biological processes. One of the major roles played by zinc is in our immune system or specifically the role that it plays in both our innate and adaptive immunity. Since zinc also drives an antiviral exertion against some viruses, it naturally became a focus in this pandemic
Zinc deficiency remains a major nutritional concern even in some major countries, widespread in 15% to 31% older people. As far as its role in the current pandemic is concerned with zinc’s role in the immune system and improved viral infection is believed to be the reason for its usefulness in biomarkers today.
The researchers encourage the supply of zinc supplement in elderly people to lessen the effect of COVID virus. As far as future developments are concerned the scientists are trying to access a therapeutic approach in people who are at risk of deficiency of zinc.
Also read: VISCERAL METASTASIS MECHANISM PROVED ESSENTIAL FOR CRPC PATIENTS
Citation:
Low zinc levels at clinical admission associates with poor outcomes in COVID-19 Marina Vogel, Marc Tallo-Parra, Victor Herrera-Fernandez, Gemma Perez-Vilaro, Miguel Chillon, Xavier Nogues, Silvia Gomez-Zorrilla, Inmaculada Lopez-Montesinos, Judit Villar, Maria Luisa Sorli-Redo, Juan Pablo Horcajada, Natalia Garcia-Giralt, Julio Pascual, Juana Diez, Ruben Vicente, Robert Guerri-Fernandez medRxiv 2020.10.07.20208645;doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.07.20208645, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.07.20208645v1
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