Zinc Status and Autoimmunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Trace Element Metabolism

Background:

• Zinc is a vital trace element crucial for numerous biological functions, including enzyme activity, cell signaling, and immune regulation.
• Zinc deficiency is implicated in various pathologies, particularly those involving inflammation and immune system dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on zinc levels in patients with autoimmune disorders compared to control groups.
• To consolidate experimental evidence regarding the association between autoimmune diseases and zinc status.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted, identifying 26,095 articles.
• 179 articles were initially screened for relevance, with 62 ultimately meeting the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and meta-analysis.

Main Results:

• Meta-analysis revealed significantly lower zinc concentrations in both serum (mean effect = -1.19) and plasma (mean effect = -3.97) of autoimmune disease patients compared to controls.
• Despite heterogeneity in sample collection and analysis across studies, a consistent pattern of zinc deficiency was observed.

Conclusions:

• The findings strongly suggest a deficiency of zinc in serum and plasma among individuals with autoimmune diseases.
• This consistent observation warrants further investigation into the role of zinc in the pathogenesis and management of autoimmune disorders.