Neurological Impact of Zinc Excess and Zinc Deficiency | Chapter 04 | Current Trends in Food Science Vol. 1
Zinc is an essential mineral that can
cause pathological effects whether in excess or deficiency. Zinc is a component for over 250 enzymes and
is required for cell growth, cell division, and cell function. Zinc is found in
muscle and bones, with the prostrate, liver, skin, and kidney having detectable
levels of zinc. However, zinc present in excess or deficiency can cause
significant pathology in patients that include deleterious effects
neurologically. Zinc in excess in vivo can cause focal neuronal pathology,
while zinc deficiency can bring about mental lethargy, neuropsychiatric
disorders, and reduced nerve conduction. Zinc is assimilated within the body by
oral ingestion, dermal exposure, and pulmonary inhalation. Although not
generally viewed as a cause of cancer, studies suggest that zinc is associated
with progression of prostate malignancy. Toxic levels of zinc have been shown
to induce lethargy, neurotoxicity, and gliotoxicity. High levels of zinc causes
neuronal death in cortical cell tissue culture. Zinc is known to accumulate
following the death of neurons in global ischemia. Therefore, zinc deficiency
or excess is of significant clinical concern. Endogenous zinc is known to have
important involvement within cytotoxic activity within individual cells. Zinc
excess is shown to induce lethargy and focal neuronal reduction. Zinc
deficiency has been shown to induce lethargy, neurosensory pathology,
neuropsychiatric disorders, and reduction of nerve conduction. Oral ingestion
of toxic levels of zinc will produce symptoms of dizziness and lethargy. The
inhalation of zinc can bring about shaking, fatigue, and fever. Although zinc
acts as a neuromodulator, endogenous zinc can be a potent and rapid neurotoxin.
At 300 µM levels, zinc will extensively destroy cortical cells in tissue
culture. Neurons exposed to zinc will initiate apoptosis. The activity of zinc
in the human body has significant implications for normal health. Zinc in
excess or deficit will cause pathological conditions which should be rapidly
diagnosed by clinicians. Further study
of the biological activity of zinc is warranted.
Author(s) Details
Dr. Ronald Bartzatt
Durham Science Center,
University of Nebraska, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68182, USA
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