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The correlation between serum selenium, zinc, and COVID-19 severity: an observational study
Soodeh Razeghi Jahromi1, Hedieh Moradi Tabriz2, Mansoureh Togha3,4
1Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
BMC Infectious Diseases
|September 4, 2021
Summary
This study found that while lower levels of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were initially associated with increased COVID-19 severity, this link disappeared after accounting for other factors. However, higher Se and Zn levels correlated with lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) can spread unchecked without a robust immune response.
- Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are crucial immunonutrients; deficiencies may exacerbate inflammation, oxidative stress, and viral entry via ACE-2 downregulation, factors implicated in COVID-19.
- Understanding the role of Se and Zn in COVID-19 pathogenesis is critical for potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum selenium and zinc levels and the severity of COVID-19.
- To explore the correlation between these micronutrients and key inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 84 COVID-19 patients diagnosed via WHO interim guidance and Iranian National Committee recommendations.
- COVID-19 severity was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on CDC criteria.
- Serum levels of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were measured at disease onset, alongside chest CT scans and RT-PCR confirmation.
Main Results:
- Initial linear regression indicated a significant association between lower serum Zn and Se levels and increased COVID-19 severity (P=0.01 for Se, P=0.02 for Zn).
- This significance was lost upon adjustment for confounding factors.
- Spearman correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between serum Zn and Se levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=-0.35, P=0.001 for Se; r=-0.41, P<0.001 for Zn).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum selenium and zinc levels are associated with reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in COVID-19 patients.
- The direct association between Se, Zn status, and COVID-19 severity was not sustained after controlling for confounding variables.
- Further research is needed to clarify the precise role of these micronutrients in modulating inflammation and disease outcomes in COVID-19.
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