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Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
Published on: May 16, 2019
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Zinc and gastrointestinal disease
Sonja Skrovanek1, Katherine DiGuilio1, Robert Bailey1
1Sonja Skrovanek, Katherine DiGuilio, James M Mullin, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA 19096, United States.
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology
|November 18, 2014
Summary
Zinc plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal health, impacting both the causes and treatments of various gut diseases. Supplementation may enhance epithelial barrier function, offering therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Zinc is an essential trace element vital for numerous physiological processes.
- Gastrointestinal health is influenced by nutritional status, including zinc levels.
- Dysregulation of zinc homeostasis is implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on zinc's role in the etiology and therapy of gastrointestinal diseases.
- To describe zinc's mechanisms of action on gastrointestinal epithelial barrier function.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of zinc supplementation in managing gut conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of recent studies.
- Analysis of research on zinc's effects on epithelial tight junctions.
- Review of evidence linking zinc to gastrointestinal barrier integrity.
Main Results:
- Zinc deficiency contributes to the development of several gastrointestinal diseases.
- Zinc supplementation demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits across a spectrum of gut disorders.
- Zinc enhances gastrointestinal epithelial barrier function by strengthening tight junctions.
Conclusions:
- Zinc is a critical factor in maintaining gastrointestinal health and function.
- Modulating zinc levels, particularly through supplementation, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for gastrointestinal diseases.
- Enhancement of epithelial barrier function by zinc is a key mechanism underlying its beneficial effects.
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