Magnesium, Zinc and Copper in Lung Fibrosis: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal lung disease.
• Biometals like magnesium, copper, and zinc play crucial roles in biological processes.
• Imbalances in these minerals are observed in IPF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of magnesium, copper, and zinc imbalances in IPF pathogenesis.
• To investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of correcting these biometal deficiencies in IPF.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental and clinical studies on biometals in IPF.
• Analysis of the involvement of mineral imbalances in IPF pathogenic mechanisms.
• Evaluation of existing data on mineral supplementation and IPF treatment.

Main Results:

• Lower levels of zinc and magnesium, and a higher copper/zinc ratio, are associated with IPF.
• These imbalances contribute to key IPF mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis.
• Biometals are vital for endogenous substances involved in IPF pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Biometal dysregulation is implicated in IPF.
• Correcting hypomagnesemia and hypozincemia is crucial post-diagnosis.
• Combining zinc and magnesium with pirfenidone and nintedanib warrants further investigation.