Zinc Levels In Patients Research Articles

Zinc level and effect of zinc supplementation on growth in a subset of Sudanese children with sickle cell disease.

A case-control interventional study was conducted to determine serum zinc levels in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to compare them to the levels in normal children and to the levels after 6 months of zinc supplementation. A total of 74 patients and 30 normal children, considered as controls for the zinc levels, were included. The clinical findings, including anthropometric measurements, were obtained. Serum zinc levels at the start and after 6 months, for the patients and at the start for the controls were measured. The mean age at enrolment and diagnosis were 7.5 ± 4.8 years and 5.5 ± 2.4 months, respectively. Male to female ratio was 1:1. Patients showed very low zinc levels at enrolment (0.268 ± 0.146 mg/l), while the controls had a mean zinc level at lower limits of normal (0.542 ± 0.087 mg/l) and a p-value of 0.04. After zinc supplementation, zinc levels in patients increased significantly with a p-value = 0.04. Zinc supplementation had positive effects on weight and height, with a p-value of 0.001 for both. The increase in body mass index and HC were not significant, with p-values of 0.058 and 0.067, respectively. Likewise, zinc supplementation had positive effects on the haematological indices as an increase in haemoglobin levels and a decrease of leucocyte counts, with p = 0.004 and 0.005, while the increase in platelet count was insignificant, p-value = 0.058. Furthermore, zinc supplementation decreased the frequency of hospitalisation significantly. We recommend considering zinc supplementation as one of the standard-of-care interventions in Sudanese children with SCD.

Serum Zinc Level in Patients with Severe Genital Warts: A Case-Control Study in a Dermatology Hospital.

Background Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), and there is no method that completely prevents its recurrence. Recently, zinc has been used in the treatment of cutaneous warts. Nondestructive action, ease of use, and promising results with low chances of relapse were reflected in the treatment. These effects may arise from the immunomodulatory activity of zinc in the event of a viral infection. Objectives This study was aimed at identifying the relationship between the serum zinc level and the clinical characteristics of patients with genital warts. Materials and Methods A case-control study was conducted. Genital warts were diagnosed by clinical examination, and disease severity was demonstrated based on the number of affected sites or the spread of lesions. The serum zinc level was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results A total of 78 patients with genital warts and 78 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The mean serum zinc level in the genital wart group was lower than that in the control group (81.83 ± 13.99 μg/dL vs. 86.66 ± 17.58 μg/dL); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mean concentrations of serum zinc in patients having more than one affected site, spread > 2 cm2, or ten or more lesions were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results suggested that severe genital warts may be associated with a low serum zinc level in patients.

Evaluation of serum zinc level in patients with Alopecia Areata

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is non-scarring telogenic alopecia of autoimmune etiology. Clinically, the disease is characterized by the appearance of alopecic patches or plaques of varying size and number on the scalp with peak incidence 2% in the general population, can involve any age group with higher prevalence in younger patients. Aim: The purpose of this study is to estimate serum zinc level in patient with alopecia areata comparing to age, sex match healthy controls. Method: A case-control study was conducted on total number of 120 subjects;60 patients with AA and 60 age- and sex matched healthy controls. Serum zinc levels were assessed in all subjects. Comparison of mean serum zinc levels was done between all patients and controls. A significantly lower serum zinc level was found in patients with AA compared with controls and the significant inverse correlations existed between serum zinc level and severity of AA.

Investigation of zinc levels in patients with COVID-19

Amaç: Çinko (Zn), immün yanıtı güçlendirici etkisinin yanı sıra viral enfeksiyonlara karşı savunmada da rol oynadığı bilinen önemli bir eser elementtir. Bu çalışma ile kliniğimizde izlenen COVID-19 olgularında Zn düzeylerinin belirlenerek, rutin laboratuvar parametreleri ve hastalık şiddeti ile olan ilişkisinin irdelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmaya 135 COVID-19 hastası ile 26 sağlıklı birey dahil edilmiştir. Serum Zn, düzeyleri kolorimetrik yöntem ile ölçülmüştür. Ayrıca kreatinin, ALT, AST CK, LDH, ferritin, CRP, D-dimer ve fibrinojen düzeyleri değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Serum Zn düzeyleri tüm hasta gruplarında kontrol grubuna kıyasla; orta, ağır ve kritik hasta gruplarında ise hafif hasta grubuna kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde düşük bulunmuştur. Ayrıca Zn düzeyleri kreatinin, ALT, AST, CK, lökosit düzeyleri ile zayıf negatif ve anlamlı bir korelasyon gösterirken, yaş, CRP, ferritin, D-dimer ve fibrinojen düzeyleri ile anlamlı, orta derecede ve negatif yönde bir korelasyon göstermiştir. Sonuç: Serum Zn düzeyleri COVID-19 hastalarında sağlıklı bireylere göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı oranda daha düşüktür. COVID-19 olgularında hastalık şiddeti ile serum Zn düzeyleri arasında net bir ilişki bulunamamış olsa da hastalık şiddeti ile ilişkili biyokimyasal ve inflamatuar markırlar ile serum Zn düzeyleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu görülmüştür.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc levels in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis in Zagazig University Hospitals

Evaluation of Serum Zinc levels in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis in Zagazig University Hospitals

Low serum levels of zinc and 25-hydroxyvitmain D as potential risk factors for COVID-19 susceptibility: a pilot case-control study.

Background and aimsThis study aimed to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitmain D and zinc levels in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in comparison to healthy subjects.MethodsThis was a single-center case-control study performed from March 20, 2020, to January 20, 2021, in Tehran, Iran. All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 based on a positive nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test were included in the case group. Controls were selected from patients referred for routine checkups who had a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Age, sex, marital and educational status, comorbidities, and serum 25-hydroxyvitmain D and zinc levels of patients were recorded.ResultsNinety patients in the case group and 95 subjects in the control group who were sex and age-matched were studied. 25-hydroxyvitmain D levels higher than 20 ng/ml were observed in 58 (64%) cases and 72 (76%) controls (P = 0.09). The median 25-hydroxyvitmain D level in the case group was significantly lower than controls (26 (interquartile range [IQR] = 24) ng/ml vs. 38 (IQR = 22) ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.01). The median zinc level in the case group was 56 (IQR = 23) mcg/dL, while it was 110 (IQR = 27) mcg/dL among the controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the level of 25-hydroxyvitmain D and zinc between cases with and without comorbidities (P > 0.05). Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection could be predicted by serum 25-hydroxyvitmain D levels below 25.2 ng/ml (81% sensitivity; 48% specificity) or zinc levels below 86.3 mcg/dL (93% sensitivity; 92% specificity).ConclusionsLow serum zinc and 25-hydroxyvitmain D levels appear to be risk factors for COVID-19 affliction; thus, the treatment of individuals with such deficiencies is recommended.

Significance of furosemide in patients with cirrhosis treated with or without zinc acetate hydrate supplementation.

The Japanese guidelines for the treatment of cirrhosis suggest zinc supplementation to prevent hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis and zinc deficiency, although the factors that are associated with therapeutic efficacy remain unknown. A total of 159 patients with chronic liver diseases but without previous zinc supplementation were analyzed. Factors associated with serum zinc levels as well as the therapeutic efficacy of zinc supplementation were evaluated. Serum zinc levels decreased with the progression of liver diseases. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the serum levels of albumin and cholinesterase and the daily furosemide dose were independently associated with the serum zinc levels. The optimal furosemide cut-off dosage for patients with zinc deficiency (<60μg/dl) was 5mg/day. Among 34 patients receiving zinc acetate hydrate, overt hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 12 patients (35.4%). A multivariate analysis identified a minimal serum zinc level of 50μg/dl after more than 12weeks of zinc supplementation as a factor associated with overt encephalopathy development, while furosemide use was not associated. The Child-Pugh score at baseline was the only factor associated with the maintenance of sufficient serum zinc levels. Although the furosemide dose was negatively correlated with the serum zinc level in patients with chronic liver diseases, furosemide use was not associated with the occurrence of overt encephalopathy in those receiving zinc supplementation. Serum zinc levels of ≥50μg/dl were required to prevent overt encephalopathy development during zinc supplementation in both patients with and those without furosemide administration.

Serum Trace Elements Concentrations in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Increased brain and serum zinc levels in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (idiopathic RLS or iRLS) were described when compared with controls, suggesting a possible role of zinc in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, serum magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and copper levels of RLS patients were similar to controls, suggesting a specific impairment of zinc-dependent metabolism in RLS. The aim of this study is to assess the serum concentrations of trace elements involved in oxidative stress or causing peripheral nerve toxicity in a large series of patients with iRLS and controls. We determined serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, aluminium, lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in 100 patients diagnosed with iRLS and in 110 age- and sex-matched controls using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Serum copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium concentrations were significantly higher in RLS patients than in controls. These differences were observed both in men and women. There were no major correlations between serum trace metal concentrations and age at onset of RLS or RLS severity, nor was there any association with a family history of RLS or drug response. This study shows an association between increased serum concentrations of copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium with RLS in a Spanish Caucasian population and does not confirm the previously reported increase in serum zinc concentrations in patients suffering from this disease, suggesting that the different accuracy of the analytical methods used could have influenced the inconsistent results found in the literature.

The relationship between zinc deficiency and infectious complications in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency is high in patients with chronic liver disease, but few studies have hitherto explored the relationship between the serum zinc level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to assess the association between zinc deficiency and infectious complications, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Patients with HBV-related ACLF from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed in this study. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system and analysed. The Student's t-test was used for normally distributed continuous variables between two groups and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent parameters. A total of 284 patients were included in this study, including 205 liver cirrhosis and 79 non-cirrhosis patients. The proportion of patients with zinc deficiency was the highest (84.5%), followed by subclinical zinc deficiency (14.1%) and normal zinc level (1.4%). Patients in the zinc deficiency group had a higher MELD score than the subclinical zinc deficiency or normal zinc group (P = 0.021). Age, total bilirubin, and serum zinc level were independent factors for infection (Ps < 0.05). The serum zinc level in patients without complications at admission was significantly higher than that in patients with complications (P = 0.004). Moreover, the serum zinc level in patients with prothrombin time activity (PTA) of <20% was significantly lower than that in patients with 20% ≤ PTA < 30% (P = 0.007) and that in patients with 30% ≤ PTA < 40% (P < 0.001). Zinc deficiency is common in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with infectious complications and MELD score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Zinc has potent immunoregulatory and antiviral effects that are critical for growth, immunity, and neurologic development. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and to demonstrate its association with disease severity. This prospective observational study was conducted between August 3 and November 15, 2020, in pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We defined a control group whose serum zinc levels were determined 1 year ago at the same time as those of patients with COVID-19. We used 70 μg/dL as the cut-off zinc value to define zinc deficiency. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows statistics package program. One hundred children with confirmed COVID-19 and 269 children in the control group participated in the study. The median age was 13.3 (IQR: 8–15.4) years in patients with confirmed COVID-19, 11 patients had low serum zinc levels, and 89 patients had normal serum zinc levels. Patients in the group with low zinc levels had a significantly higher hospitalization rate than the group with normal zinc levels (5 (45.5%) and 10 patients (11.2%), respectively) (p = 0.011). The median serum zinc level in patients with COVID-19 was 88.5 mcg/dL (IQR 77.2–100), which was significantly lower than the median level in the control group, which was 98 mcg/dL (IQR 84–111) (p = 0.001). There was no association between the severity of COVID-19 and the serum zinc levels of the children.Conclusion: Serum zinc levels may be influenced by many factors such as fasting status, diurnal variation, exercise, and sex, and may give an impression of the zinc status of the population rather than reflecting the individual. The fact that the incidence of hospitalization was significantly higher in patients with both COVID-19 and low serum zinc levels suggests that these patients require a detailed assessment of their living environment.What is Known:• Serum zinc levels have been found to be low in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.• There was a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and serum zinc levels in adults.What is New:• Children with low serum zinc levels were found to have a higher number of hospitalizations.• No association was found between the severity of COVID-19 disease and serum zinc levels in children.

Serum Zinc Level in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis and its Relationship to Anemia

Hemodialysis patients are at risk for deficiency or excess of trace elements, both of which can affect their health. Zinc is an essential trace element and its deficiency results in the dysfunction of plasma membrane proteins and enhanced oxidative stress in cells, especially red blood cells, thus decreasing their lifespan. Zinc deficiency is reported in 40%–78% of hemodialysis patients and may be associated with anemia. Both anemia and zinc deficiency are common in patients with kidney failure. In this study, serum zinc levels and their relationship to anemia were evaluated in 24 patients on maintenance hemodialysis for 6 months or longer at either of two tertiary pediatric hemodialysis centers in Tehran, Iran. Serum zinc level and various blood indices were recorded before, during, and after the evaluation over 6 months. Patients receiving zinc-containing supplements in the 3 months before enrolment were ineligible. Patients with zinc deficiency received oral supplements of zinc sulfate at 1 mg/kg daily for 3 months, following which serum zinc level and other blood indices were retested to examine the influence of zinc supplementation on anemia. Our findings indicate that serum zinc levels may correlate with anemia in hemodialysis patients. Providing zinc supplements may improve anemia and the quality of life in patients with low zinc levels.

Serum zinc levels in patients with herpes zoster infection

Serum zinc levels in patients with herpes zoster infection

Serum zinc levels in patients with phlegmons as a marker of the severity of infection and the potential of zinc supplementation to reduce the risk of recurrence.

We analyzed the serum zinc levels of 37 patients with 40 phlegmon lesions. The mean serum zinc level was 52.1±16.4μg/dL. The serum zinc level was negatively correlated with the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (r=-0.66) and white blood cell (WBC) count (r=-0.56). It was also positively correlated with the serum levels of albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (r=0.57, 0.50, and 0.50, respectively). Patients with serum zinc levels of <60μg/dL had higher CRP levels and WBC counts (p<0.005 and p<0.05, respectively) and lower albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively), and were more likely to be hospitalized (p<0.05) than those with serum zinc levels of ≥60μg/dL. Patients with low serum zinc levels were given zinc tablets. Three of the seven patients who developed recurrent phlegmons did not develop any further lesions after taking zinc tablets for >10months. Of the remaining patients, one only developed a minimal lesion, and another two experienced recurrence twice but did not have any further lesions for 10 and 15months, respectively. These findings indicate that in patients with phlegmons the serum zinc level is a suitable marker of the severity of infection, and zinc supplementation reduces the risk of further recurrence in patients whose lesions relapse.

Comparing Serum Levels of Vitamin D and Zinc in Novel Coronavirus-Infected Patients and Healthy Individuals in Northeastern Iran, 2020.

BackgroundCOVID-19 infection has recently become a pandemic disease around the world, and its risk factors have not fully evaluated. This study aimed to compare the serum vitamin D (Vit D) and zinc levels in patients infected with novel coronavirus and healthy volunteers (HVs).MethodsThis was a single-center, cross-sectional study conducted on 56 patients (32 severe cases and 24 nonsevere) admitted to the COVID-19 ward and 46 HVs living in Esfarayen City, North Khorasan Province of Iran. Serum levels of Vit D and zinc in admitted patients to the COVID-19 ward and HVs were measured.ResultsThe average levels of serum Vit D in severe cases, nonsevere cases, and HVs were 31.03 ± 15.49, 37.25 ± 18.49, and 39.33 ± 14.83, respectively (P = 0.05). Moreover, the average concentrations of serum zinc in severe cases, nonsevere cases, and HVs were 31.03 ± 15.49, 37.25 ± 18.49, and 39.33 ± 14.83, respectively (P = 0.01). Mortality rate, reinfection (for 5 months), and length of hospital stay in severe cases were higher than in nonsevere cases (P > 0.05).ConclusionsResults showed that severe cases had lower levels of Vit D than did other groups and were marginally significant. Also, severe cases had a significantly low level of zinc when compared with nonsevere cases and HVs. Levels of Vit D and zinc can affect the incidence of COVID-19 infection.

Investigation of the Relationship Between IL-18 (- 607 C/A), IL-18 (- 137 G/C), and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) Gene Variations and Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between IL-18 (- 607 C/A), IL-18 (- 137 G/C), and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variations and serum trace element levels in patients diagnosed with CRF. Genotype distributions of IL-18 (- 607 C/A, - 137 G/C) gene variations were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods were used to determine the MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variation genotype distributions. Serum trace element levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. A significant difference was found between the CRF patient and healthy control groups in terms of genotype distributions of IL-18 (- 607 C/A) and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variations (p < 0.05). The significant difference was found between the patient and control groups in terms of serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio (p < 0.05). The significant difference was detected between patient and control groups in terms of copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio according to IL-18 (- 607 C/A), IL-18 (- 137 G/C), and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variations and genotype distributions (p < 0.05). In addition, significant difference was determined in terms of serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio according to haplotypes of IL-18 (- 607 C/A), IL-18 (- 137 G/C), and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variations between patient and control groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, evaluation of IL-18 (- 607 C/A, - 137 G/C) and MMP-2 (- 1306 C/T) gene variations and serum trace element levels together is extremely important in terms of obtaining important biomarkers in CRF early diagnosis and progression.

Serum zinc deficiency in patients after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Zinc is an essential dietary component for humans and the second most prevalent trace element; however, serum zinc levels after gastrectomy have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinicopathologic features and serum zinc levels in patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The study enrolled 617 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Kochi Medical School. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between clinicopathological features, including nutritional indicators and serum zinc levels. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level < 80μg/dL. The median zinc level of the 617 patients was 73μg/dL (range, 31-144μg/dL), and serum zinc deficiency was present in 68.6% of patients. Median age was significantly higher in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (69 vs. 66years, P < 0.001). Albumin was significantly lower in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (3.9 vs. 4.2g/dL, P < 0.001). C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (0.12 vs. 0.10mg/dL, P = 0.014). The median serum zinc level was significantly lower in the patients who received chemotherapy after gastrectomy than in those who were not received chemotherapy (72 vs. 76μg/dL, P < 0.001). Serum zinc levels showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r = 0.505, P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that serum albumin level was significantly associated with serum zinc level (β = 0.489, P < 0.001). Serum zinc deficiency was found in 68.6% of postoperative patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which was highly correlated with serum albumin.

A Study of Serum Zinc level in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most important reason of death in the world. There are some established risk factors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but measurement of trace element like zinc can be helpful in the prevention and better management of AMI. The aim of this study was to estimate serum zinc in AMI patients. This is a case control type of study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka during the period of January 2015 to December 2015 with a total number of 100 study subjects. Acute myocardial infarction patients were selected as case (50) from coronary care unit (CCU), Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Normal healthy individuals were selected as control (50) from the attendants of patients, relatives and doctors. Serum level of zinc was assessed for both case and control groups. The mean values of the variable were compared between them by statistical analysis using SPSS version 16. For all the statistical analysis p&lt;0.05 was considered as significant. The mean values of serum zinc were 73.18±21.14μg/dl in cases. The mean values of serum zinc were 11.04±23.06 μg/dl in control group. Significant differences were found in mean values between case and control groups and differences were very highly significant (p-value&lt;0.001). In AMI serum zinc levels were found to decrease in this study. Serum zinc is an important trace element act as cofactor in many biochemical reactions. Decrease level of this important trace element may contribute to pathogenesis of AMI. So with other biochemical risks parameters, routine assessment of serum zinc level is advocated, which might be helpful for prevention and better management of AMI. Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2020;15(2): 92-94

Plasma Zinc Levels in Patients with Chronic Leg Ulcers at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUNDChronic leg ulcers are defects in the skin below the level of knee persisting for more than six weeks and shows no tendency to heal after three or more months. Zinc is a necessary component of several DNA & RNA polymerases and transferases essential for cell proliferation. Zinc deficiency is known to retard wound healing by preventing cellular mitosis and disturbance of fibroblast function and collagen synthesis. This study compares zinc levels in patients with chronic leg ulcers with apparently healthy individuals. METHODSFive milliliters of venous blood samples was taken from twelve patients with chronic leg ulcers. Five milliliters of venous blood samples was also taken from a control group, who do not have chronic leg ulcers, but are matched with the cases in age (± 5 yr), sex, socioeconomic status and body mass index (± 3 kg/m2). Plasma zinc levels was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Principal exposure include the socio-demographic characteristics of patients, duration of symptoms before presentation, signs of ulcer–site, number, size, depth, base, edge, presence of discharge, enlarged lymph nodes and local neurovascular integrity. The outcome variables include plasma levels of biochemical markers measured –Zinc, serum albumin, total protein.RESULTSThe plasma zinc levels was significantly lower (P<0.01) in patients with chronic leg ulcer (92.808±16.689 µg/dl) as compared with control subjects (109.413 ± 9.304 µg/dl). There was no statistical difference in albumin and protein levels in both groups.CONCLUSIONPatients with chronic leg ulcers have significantly lower plasma zinc levels than apparently healthy individuals.

Serum vitamin D, calcium, and zinc levels in patients with COVID-19.

Background and aimCOVID-19 is a global public health concern. As no standard treatment has been found for it yet, several minerals and vitamins with antioxidants, immunomodulators, and antimicrobials roles can be sufficient for the immune response against the disease. The present study evaluates the serum vitamin D, calcium, and Zinc levels in patients with COVID-19.Materials & methodsThis research is a case–control study performed in May 2020 on 93 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a Shoushtar city hospital and on 186 healthy subjects with no symptoms of COVID-19. The serum vitamin D, calcium, and zinc levels were collected and analyzed using correlation coefficient and independent t-test via SPSS 18.ResultsVitamin D levels had a significant difference between the case and control groups (p = 0.008). Serum calcium and serum zinc levels also had statistically significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe research results showed that serum zinc, calcium, and vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients are lower than in the control group. The supplementation with such nutrients is a safe and low-cost measure that can help cope with the increased demand for these nutrients in risk of acquiring the COVID-19 virus.

Quantitative Analysis of Serum Zinc Levels in Primary Brain Tumor Patients.

Although the close relationships between most of the trace elements and tumor formation mechanisms are very well-defined, studies on some elements such as zinc are still ongoing. When examining studies on brain tumors, it was observed that studies investigating the role played by serum zinc levels on tumor etiology and prognosis have gained momentum. In this study, we investigate the relationship between different brain tumor types and serum zinc levels by quantitatively analyzing serum zinc levels in patients with primary brain tumors. In this study, we measured serum zinc levels of 33 brain tumor patients as well as 35 healthy individuals serving as a control group. Metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum zinc levels were lower in patients with primary brain tumors compared to control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients' serum zinc levels were significantly different according to their brain tumor types and also according to their age (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that brain tumor patients' serum zinc levels may play a role in tumor etiology, typology, and prognosis.