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[Zinc salts in dermatology]
1Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, 51 avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France.
Annales De Dermatologie Et De Venereologie
|July 6, 2004
Summary
Zinc is an essential trace element with anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for acne treatment. While generally safe, high doses can cause hypocupremia, and its efficacy in other conditions requires further research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Zinc is a vital trace element functioning as a cofactor for numerous metalloenzymes.
- Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are crucial for cellular processes.
- Understanding zinc's therapeutic applications beyond acrodermatitis enteropathica is an ongoing area of research.
Purpose:
- To review the known therapeutic uses of zinc, focusing on its anti-inflammatory properties.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation for various medical conditions.
- To discuss zinc's pharmacokinetic profile, including absorption, distribution, and excretion.
Summary:
- Zinc acts as an essential cofactor for metalloenzymes, playing roles in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant processes.
- Its therapeutic use is established for acrodermatitis enteropathica and shows promise for acne vulgaris due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
- While zinc has low toxicity, chronic high-dose administration risks hypocupremia; absorption is influenced by phytates, and excretion is primarily digestive.
Impact:
- Zinc supplementation is effective for inflammatory acne, offering an alternative when antibiotics are contraindicated.
- Further research is needed to validate zinc's efficacy in conditions like leishmaniasis, warts, and cutaneous ulcers.
- Zinc is generally well-tolerated at recommended doses, with gastrointestinal upset being the most common dose-dependent side effect.