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August 1985, Vol 121, No. 8 >
Article | August 1985

Zinc and Cutaneous Inflammation

David Norris, MD
[+] Author Affiliations

University of Colorado School of Medicine 4200 E Ninth Ave Denver, CO 80062


Arch Dermatol. 1985;121(8):985-989. doi:10.1001/archderm.1985.01660080039011
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References
Comments

Zinc and other trace metals are important cofactors and modulators of many critical biologic functions in the states of both health and disease. The role of zinc in modulating the immune response and inflammation has posed many questions concerning the potential usefulness of trace metals in modulating inflammatory disease.1 The descriptions of zinc deficiency in acrodermatitis enteropathica,2 the correction of the clinical disease in patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica via zinc supplementation,3 and the correlation of improvement with certain changes in immunologic variables4 have focused our attention on the potential usefulness of trace metals in treating inflammatory cutaneous diseases. Previous reports about modulation of autoimmune disease by zinc depletion5 and the treatment of acne,6 and a report about dissecting cellulitis of the scalp reported in this issue of the Archives,7 continue to stimulate our interest in the role of zinc in cutaneous inflammation and its

REFERENCES

1 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical, biochemical and pharmacological role of zinc . Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1979;;19:393-426.
2 +
Moynahan EJ:  Acrodermatitis enteropathica: A lethal inherited human zinc deficiency disorder . Lancet 1974;;2:399-400.
3 +
Neldner KH, Hambidge KM:  Zinc therapy of acrodermatitis enteropathica . N Engl J Med 1975;;292:879-882.
4 +
Weston WL, Huff JC, Humbert JR, et al:  Zinc correction of defective chemotaxis in acrodermatitis enteropathica . Arch Dermatol 1977;;113:422-425.
5 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Nutritional factors and autoimmunity: II. Prolongation of survival in zinc deprived NZB/W mice . J Immunol 1982;;128:308-313.
6 +
Michaelsson G, Juhlin L, Vahlquist A:  Effects of oral zinc and vitamin A in acne . Arch Dermatol 1977;;113:31-36.
7 +
Berne B, Venge P, Öhman S:  Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman): Complete healing associated with oral zinc therapy . Arch Dermatol 1985;;121:1028-1030.
8 +
Riordan JF:  Biochemistry of zinc . Med Clin North Am 1976;;60:661-674.
9 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical and biochemical spectrum of zinc deficiency in human subjects , in Prasad AS, Dreosti LE, Hertzel BS (eds): Clinical, Biochemical and Nutritional Aspects of Trace Elements . New York, Alan R Liss Inc, 1981;, pp 3-62.
10 +
Terhune MW, Sandstead HH:  Decreased RNA polymerase activity in mammalian zinc deficiency . Science 1972;;177:68-69.
11 +
Faila ML:  Zinc: Functions and transport in microorganisms , in Weinberg ED (ed): Microorganisms and Minerals . New York, Marcel Dekker Inc, 1977;, pp 151-214.
12 +
Colvard DS, Wilson EM:  Zinc potentiation of androgen receptor binding to nuclei in vitro . Biochemistry 1984;;23:3471-3478.
13 +
Maro B, Bormens M:  The effect of zinc chloride on the redistribution of surface immunoglobulins in rab B lymphocytes FEBS Lett 1979;;97:116.
14 +
Cesba TA, Edlestein SJ:  Three-dimensional reconstruction of tubulin in zinc induced sheets: II. Consequences of removal of microtubule-associated proteins . J Mol Biol 1984;;175:349-370.
15 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical, biochemical and nutritional spectrum of zinc deficiency in human subjects: An update . Nutr Rev 1983;;41:197-208.
16 +
Berger NA, Skinner AM:  Characterization of lymphocyte transformation by zinc ions . J Cell Biol 1974;;61:45-55.
17 +
Fraker PJ:  Zinc deficiency: A common immunodeficiency state . Surv Immunol Res 1983;;2:155-163.
18 +
Hsu JM:  Biochemistry and metabolism of zinc , in Karcioglu ZA, Sarper RM (eds): Zinc and Copper in Medicine . Springfield, Ill, Charles C Thomas Publisher, 1980;, pp 66-93.
19 +
Falchuk KH:  Effect of acute disease and ACTH on serum zinc . N Engl J Med 1977;;296:1129-1134.
20 +
Fernandes G, Nair M, Ohoe K, et al:  Impairment of cell-mediated immunity by dietary zinc deficiency in mice . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1979;;76:457-462.
21 +
Fraker PJ, Zuicki CM, Luecke RW:  Delayed-type hypersensitivity in zinc-deficient adult mice: Impairment and restoration of responsivity to dinitrochlorobenzene . J Nutr 1982;;112:309-313.
22 +
Fraker PJ, DePasquate-Jardieu P, Zuicki CM, et al:  Regeneration of T-cell helper function in zinc-deficient adult mice . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1978;;75:5660-5665.
23 +
Chvapil M:  Effect of zinc on cells and biomembranes . Med Clin North Am 1976;;60:799-812.
24 +
Chesters JK:  The role of zinc ions in the transformation of lymphocytes by phytohaemagglutinin . Biochem J 1972;;130:133-139.
25 +
Gross RL, Osdun N, Fong L, et al:  Depressed immunologic function in zinc-deprived rats as measured by mitogen response of spleen, thymus and peripheral blood . Am J Clin Nutr 1979;;32:1260-1266.
26 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Altered thymic structure and mitogen responsiveness in postnatally zinc-deprived mice . Dev Comp Immunol 1979;;3:725-738.
27 +
Pekarek RS, Sandstead HH, Jacob RA, et al:  Abnormal cellular immune responses during acquired zinc deficiency . Am J Clin Nutr 1979;;32:1466-1471.
28 +
Iwata T, Incefy GS, Tanaka T, et al:  Circulating thymic hormone levels in zinc deficiency . Cell Immunol 1979;;47:100-105.
29 +
Bendtzen K, Mayland L:  Role of zinc+2 and other divalent metal ions in human lymphocyte production in vitro . Scand J Immunol 1982;;15:81-86.
30 +
Cunningham-Rundles C, Cunningham-Rundles S, Iwata T, et al:  Zinc deficiency, depressed thymic hormone, and T lymphocyte dysfunction in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia . Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1981;;21:387-396.
31 +
DePasquale-Jardieu P, Fraker PJ:  Further characterization of the role of humoral immunity in zinc deficient A/J mice as determined by adrenalectomy . J Immunol 1980;;124:2650-2655.
32 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Makishima K, et al:  Impaired immunologic ontogeny in postnatal zinc deprivation . J Nutr 1980;;110:805-815.
33 +
Hildebrandt KJ, Luecke RW, Fraker PJ:  Effect of maternal dietary zinc in growth and mitogenic responsiveness in suckling mice . Fed Proc 1982;;41:84.
34 +
Cunningham-Rundles S, Cunningham-Rundles C, Dupont B, et al:  Zinc-induced activation of human B lymphocytes . Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1980;;16:115-122.
35 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Gestational zinc deprivation in mice: Persistency of immunodeficiency for three generations . Science 1982;;218:469-471.
36 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Nutritional factors and autoimmunity: III. Zinc deprivation versus restricted food intake in MRL/1 mice: The distinction between interacting dietary influences . J Immunol 1982;;129:2686-2692.
37 +
Chvapil M, Stankova L, Bernhard D, et al:  Effect of zinc on peritoneal macrophages in vitro . Infect Immun 1977;;16:307-311.
38 +
Mustafor MG, Cvors CE, Munn RJ, et al:  Effects of divalent metal ions on alveolar macrophage membrane adenosine triphosphate activity . J Lab Clin Med 1971;;77:563-571.
39 +
Stankova L, Drach OW, Hicks T, et al:  Regulation of some functions of granulocytes by zinc of the prostate fluid and prostatic tissues . J Lab Clin Med 1976;;88:640-648.
40 +
Chvapil M, Stankova L, Zukoski C, et al:  Inhibition of some functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro zinc . J Lab Clin Med 1977;;89:135-146.
41 +
Karl L, Chvapil M, Zurowski DF:  Effect of zinc on the viability and phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages . Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1973;;142:1123-1127.
42 +
Chandra RK:  Single nutrient deficiency and cell-mediated immune responses . Am J Clin Nutr 1980;;33:736-741.
43 +
Allen JI, Perri RT, McClain GJ, et al:  Alterations in human natural killer cell activity and monocyte cytotoxicity induced by zinc deficiency . J Lab Clin Med 1983;;102:577-588.
44 +
Novick RP, Roth C:  Plasmid-linked resistance to inorganic salts in Staphylococcus aureus . J Bacteriol 1968;;95:1335-1340.
45 +
Katz E, Margalith E:  Inhibition of vaccinia virus maturation by zinc chloride . Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1981;;19:213-219.
46 +
Ou JT, Anderson TF:  Effect of Zn2+ on the absorption of male-specific filamentous deoxyribonucleic acid and isometric ribonucleic acid bacteriophages . J Virol 1972;;10:869-871.
47 +
Snyder SL, Walker RI:  Inhibition of lethality in endotoxin challenged mice treated with zinc chloride . Infect Immun 1976;;13:998-1000.
48 +
Moynahan EJ, Barnes PM:  Zinc deficiency and a synthetic diet for lactose intolerance . Lancet 1973;;1:676-677.
49 +
Von Vloten WA, Bos LP:  Skin lesions in acquired zinc deficiency due to parenteral nutrition . Dermatologica 1978;; 156:175-183.
50 +
Chandra PK:  Acrodermatitis enteropathica: Zinc levels and cell-mediated immunity . Pediatrics 1980;;66:789-791.

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1 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical, biochemical and pharmacological role of zinc . Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1979;;19:393-426.
2 +
Moynahan EJ:  Acrodermatitis enteropathica: A lethal inherited human zinc deficiency disorder . Lancet 1974;;2:399-400.
3 +
Neldner KH, Hambidge KM:  Zinc therapy of acrodermatitis enteropathica . N Engl J Med 1975;;292:879-882.
4 +
Weston WL, Huff JC, Humbert JR, et al:  Zinc correction of defective chemotaxis in acrodermatitis enteropathica . Arch Dermatol 1977;;113:422-425.
5 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Nutritional factors and autoimmunity: II. Prolongation of survival in zinc deprived NZB/W mice . J Immunol 1982;;128:308-313.
6 +
Michaelsson G, Juhlin L, Vahlquist A:  Effects of oral zinc and vitamin A in acne . Arch Dermatol 1977;;113:31-36.
7 +
Berne B, Venge P, Öhman S:  Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman): Complete healing associated with oral zinc therapy . Arch Dermatol 1985;;121:1028-1030.
8 +
Riordan JF:  Biochemistry of zinc . Med Clin North Am 1976;;60:661-674.
9 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical and biochemical spectrum of zinc deficiency in human subjects , in Prasad AS, Dreosti LE, Hertzel BS (eds): Clinical, Biochemical and Nutritional Aspects of Trace Elements . New York, Alan R Liss Inc, 1981;, pp 3-62.
10 +
Terhune MW, Sandstead HH:  Decreased RNA polymerase activity in mammalian zinc deficiency . Science 1972;;177:68-69.
11 +
Faila ML:  Zinc: Functions and transport in microorganisms , in Weinberg ED (ed): Microorganisms and Minerals . New York, Marcel Dekker Inc, 1977;, pp 151-214.
12 +
Colvard DS, Wilson EM:  Zinc potentiation of androgen receptor binding to nuclei in vitro . Biochemistry 1984;;23:3471-3478.
13 +
Maro B, Bormens M:  The effect of zinc chloride on the redistribution of surface immunoglobulins in rab B lymphocytes FEBS Lett 1979;;97:116.
14 +
Cesba TA, Edlestein SJ:  Three-dimensional reconstruction of tubulin in zinc induced sheets: II. Consequences of removal of microtubule-associated proteins . J Mol Biol 1984;;175:349-370.
15 +
Prasad AS:  Clinical, biochemical and nutritional spectrum of zinc deficiency in human subjects: An update . Nutr Rev 1983;;41:197-208.
16 +
Berger NA, Skinner AM:  Characterization of lymphocyte transformation by zinc ions . J Cell Biol 1974;;61:45-55.
17 +
Fraker PJ:  Zinc deficiency: A common immunodeficiency state . Surv Immunol Res 1983;;2:155-163.
18 +
Hsu JM:  Biochemistry and metabolism of zinc , in Karcioglu ZA, Sarper RM (eds): Zinc and Copper in Medicine . Springfield, Ill, Charles C Thomas Publisher, 1980;, pp 66-93.
19 +
Falchuk KH:  Effect of acute disease and ACTH on serum zinc . N Engl J Med 1977;;296:1129-1134.
20 +
Fernandes G, Nair M, Ohoe K, et al:  Impairment of cell-mediated immunity by dietary zinc deficiency in mice . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1979;;76:457-462.
21 +
Fraker PJ, Zuicki CM, Luecke RW:  Delayed-type hypersensitivity in zinc-deficient adult mice: Impairment and restoration of responsivity to dinitrochlorobenzene . J Nutr 1982;;112:309-313.
22 +
Fraker PJ, DePasquate-Jardieu P, Zuicki CM, et al:  Regeneration of T-cell helper function in zinc-deficient adult mice . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1978;;75:5660-5665.
23 +
Chvapil M:  Effect of zinc on cells and biomembranes . Med Clin North Am 1976;;60:799-812.
24 +
Chesters JK:  The role of zinc ions in the transformation of lymphocytes by phytohaemagglutinin . Biochem J 1972;;130:133-139.
25 +
Gross RL, Osdun N, Fong L, et al:  Depressed immunologic function in zinc-deprived rats as measured by mitogen response of spleen, thymus and peripheral blood . Am J Clin Nutr 1979;;32:1260-1266.
26 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Altered thymic structure and mitogen responsiveness in postnatally zinc-deprived mice . Dev Comp Immunol 1979;;3:725-738.
27 +
Pekarek RS, Sandstead HH, Jacob RA, et al:  Abnormal cellular immune responses during acquired zinc deficiency . Am J Clin Nutr 1979;;32:1466-1471.
28 +
Iwata T, Incefy GS, Tanaka T, et al:  Circulating thymic hormone levels in zinc deficiency . Cell Immunol 1979;;47:100-105.
29 +
Bendtzen K, Mayland L:  Role of zinc+2 and other divalent metal ions in human lymphocyte production in vitro . Scand J Immunol 1982;;15:81-86.
30 +
Cunningham-Rundles C, Cunningham-Rundles S, Iwata T, et al:  Zinc deficiency, depressed thymic hormone, and T lymphocyte dysfunction in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia . Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1981;;21:387-396.
31 +
DePasquale-Jardieu P, Fraker PJ:  Further characterization of the role of humoral immunity in zinc deficient A/J mice as determined by adrenalectomy . J Immunol 1980;;124:2650-2655.
32 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Makishima K, et al:  Impaired immunologic ontogeny in postnatal zinc deprivation . J Nutr 1980;;110:805-815.
33 +
Hildebrandt KJ, Luecke RW, Fraker PJ:  Effect of maternal dietary zinc in growth and mitogenic responsiveness in suckling mice . Fed Proc 1982;;41:84.
34 +
Cunningham-Rundles S, Cunningham-Rundles C, Dupont B, et al:  Zinc-induced activation of human B lymphocytes . Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1980;;16:115-122.
35 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Gestational zinc deprivation in mice: Persistency of immunodeficiency for three generations . Science 1982;;218:469-471.
36 +
Beach RS, Gershwin ME, Hurley LS:  Nutritional factors and autoimmunity: III. Zinc deprivation versus restricted food intake in MRL/1 mice: The distinction between interacting dietary influences . J Immunol 1982;;129:2686-2692.
37 +
Chvapil M, Stankova L, Bernhard D, et al:  Effect of zinc on peritoneal macrophages in vitro . Infect Immun 1977;;16:307-311.
38 +
Mustafor MG, Cvors CE, Munn RJ, et al:  Effects of divalent metal ions on alveolar macrophage membrane adenosine triphosphate activity . J Lab Clin Med 1971;;77:563-571.
39 +
Stankova L, Drach OW, Hicks T, et al:  Regulation of some functions of granulocytes by zinc of the prostate fluid and prostatic tissues . J Lab Clin Med 1976;;88:640-648.
40 +
Chvapil M, Stankova L, Zukoski C, et al:  Inhibition of some functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro zinc . J Lab Clin Med 1977;;89:135-146.
41 +
Karl L, Chvapil M, Zurowski DF:  Effect of zinc on the viability and phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages . Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1973;;142:1123-1127.
42 +
Chandra RK:  Single nutrient deficiency and cell-mediated immune responses . Am J Clin Nutr 1980;;33:736-741.
43 +
Allen JI, Perri RT, McClain GJ, et al:  Alterations in human natural killer cell activity and monocyte cytotoxicity induced by zinc deficiency . J Lab Clin Med 1983;;102:577-588.
44 +
Novick RP, Roth C:  Plasmid-linked resistance to inorganic salts in Staphylococcus aureus . J Bacteriol 1968;;95:1335-1340.
45 +
Katz E, Margalith E:  Inhibition of vaccinia virus maturation by zinc chloride . Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1981;;19:213-219.
46 +
Ou JT, Anderson TF:  Effect of Zn2+ on the absorption of male-specific filamentous deoxyribonucleic acid and isometric ribonucleic acid bacteriophages . J Virol 1972;;10:869-871.
47 +
Snyder SL, Walker RI:  Inhibition of lethality in endotoxin challenged mice treated with zinc chloride . Infect Immun 1976;;13:998-1000.
48 +
Moynahan EJ, Barnes PM:  Zinc deficiency and a synthetic diet for lactose intolerance . Lancet 1973;;1:676-677.
49 +
Von Vloten WA, Bos LP:  Skin lesions in acquired zinc deficiency due to parenteral nutrition . Dermatologica 1978;; 156:175-183.
50 +
Chandra PK:  Acrodermatitis enteropathica: Zinc levels and cell-mediated immunity . Pediatrics 1980;;66:789-791.

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