Mechanisms of action of zinc in acute diarrhea.
Summary of "Mechanisms of action of zinc in acute diarrhea."
PURPOSE OF
REVIEW:
For over a decade, the importance of zinc in the treatment of acute diarrhea has been recognized. More recently, the mechanisms of action of zinc are becoming clearer. This review is focused on the new evidence on the mechanisms of action of zinc in acute diarrhea. RECENT
FINDINGS:
The vast majority of data derive from in-vitro studies using intestinal cell lines or from animal model. The positive action by zinc in acute diarrhea derives from a regulation of intestinal fluid transport, mucosal integrity, immunity, gene expression, and oxidative stress. A complex homeostatic network is also able to regulate zinc status at cellular and extracellular level.
SUMMARY:
All these data support the use of zinc in the treatment of acute diarrhea, but further clinical studies are needed to explore the selective effects of zinc against specific pathogens responsible for diarrhea.
Affiliation
aDepartment of Pediatrics, Italy bEuropean Laboratory for the Investigation of Food Induced Diseases, University of Naples 'Federico II', Italy cNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Current opinion in gastroenterology
ISSN: 1531-7056
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20856116
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0b013e32833fd48a
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Bovine Virus Diarrhea-mucosal Disease
Acute disease of cattle caused by the bovine viral diarrhea viruses (DIARRHEA VIRUSES, BOVINE VIRAL). Often mouth ulcerations are the only sign but fever, diarrhea, drop in milk yield, and loss of appetite are also seen. Severity of clinical disease varies and is strain dependent. Outbreaks are characterized by low morbidity and high mortality.
Hemorrhagic Syndrome, Bovine
Clinically severe acute disease of cattle caused by noncytopathic forms of Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (DIARRHEA VIRUS 2, BOVINE VIRAL). Outbreaks are characterized by high morbidity and high mortality.
Central Nervous System Agents
A class of drugs producing both physiological and psychological effects through a variety of mechanisms. They can be divided into "specific" agents, e.g., affecting an identifiable molecular mechanism unique to target cells bearing receptors for that agent, and "nonspecific" agents, those producing effects on different target cells and acting by diverse molecular mechanisms. Those with nonspecific mechanisms are generally further classed according to whether they produce behavioral depression or stimulation. Those with specific mechanisms are classed by locus of action or specific therapeutic use. (From Gilman AG, et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed, p252)
Rotavirus Infections
Infection with any of the rotaviruses. Specific infections include human infantile diarrhea, neonatal calf diarrhea, and epidemic diarrhea of infant mice.
Pharmacological Processes
The metabolism of drugs and their mechanisms of action.
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