Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are common risk factors for atherosclerosis. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that can function as an antiinflammatory and antioxidative agent, and as such, it may have atheroprotective properties.
An American College of Clinical Nutrition study hypothesized that zinc down-regulates the production of atherosclerosis-related cytokines/molecules in humans.
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo trial of zinc supplementation was performed in elderly subjects. One group was given an oral dose of 45 mg zinc/d as a gluconate for 6 mo. The other group was given a placebo. After 6 mo of supplementation, the intake of zinc, compared with intake of placebo, increased the concentrations of plasma zinc and decreased the concentrations of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, secretory phospholipase A2, and malondialdehyde and hydroxyalkenals in elderly subjects.
These findings suggest that zinc may have a protective effect in atherosclerosis because of its antiinflammatory and antioxidant functions.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
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