Zinc Flashcards
What is free-radical theory of aging?
aging process due to cumulative oxidative damage to cells
- minimizing reactive oxygen species/free radials may be “key” to anti-aging
What is the role of oxidative stress play in multiple chronic diseases?
Atherosclerosis -> blood clots or heart attacks
Cancer
Cataracts -> Impacts vision
Autoimmune diseases
Lung damage
What is oxidative stress?
Reactive oxygen species and other reactive species oxidize (=”steal electrons from”) DNA, proteins, lipids
Unpaired electrons on the “hunt” for an electron for this pairing => Free radical
What is oxidation?
Chemical reactions that produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may cause damage to cells and tissues
What are some reactive species?
- Highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules
e.g., superoxide radical (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - Reactive nitrogen species: e.g., Ntirtic Oxide (NO)
- Other reactive species:
e.g., Thiyl RS, Trichloromethyl (CCl3)
How are reactive species generated?
- Exposure to exogenous substances
- chemicals in the environment (pollutants)
- smoking
- drugs
- radiation - Physiological processes
- Enzymatic reactions, oxidases
- Electron transport chain
- Immune defence (superoxide = antimicrobial)
What are the consequences of cellular oxidative damage?
Lipids (PUFA) - lipid peroxidation: loss of membrane fluidity, receptor functions and potentially cellular lysis
Protein degradation - cross-linking; inactivation; denaturation
Carbohydrates - altered glycoprotein function (hormonal and neurotransmitter receptors, cell recognition)
Nucleic acids - DNA damage; mutations; carcinogenesis
What is an antioxidant?
molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules
protectors to oxidative stress
donor of electron to free radical but does not become one
What are some antioxidants?
Enzymes:
1. Catalase (contains 4 heme groups): catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen
2 H2O2 -> 2 H2O + O2
- Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) - both oxidization and reduction
Cu2+-SOD + O2- -> Cu+-SOD + O2 = reduction of copper and oxidation of superoxide
Cu+-SOD + O2- + 2H+ -> Cu2+-SOD + H2O2 = oxidation of copper and reduction of superoxide
Micronutrients: vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene
What is the most occurred form of zinc in our body?
Zn2+ can essential micromineral or trace element
What are the metabolic functions of zinc?
- Component of metalloenzymes (>300)
- Gene expression - Zinc fingers -> gene transcription
- Membrane stabilization
- Insulin response and glucose tolerance
- Immune function - development and differentiation of immune cells
- Sexual maturation - fertility, reproduction and development
What are the >300 metalloenzymes?
Provides structural integrity to the enzymes and participates in reaction at the catalytic site
Ex. zinc functions through cofactor role in metalloenzymes
A. Antioxidant function through role in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase
B. Synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, DNA and RNA (cofactor enzymes such as kinase, phosphorylases, etc.,)
C. Digestion of nutrients
D. Synthesis of heme
E. Wound healing
D. Acid/base balance (carbonic anhydrase) - blood bicarbonate (HCO3-) = buffering agent to control blood pH
How is zinc involved in gene expression?
- important for gene expression and regulation
- Zinc fingers -> structural role in regulating gene transcription e.g., estrogen receptor; glucocorticoid receptor
What are natural food sources of zinc?
Predominantly in meats and seafood
Plant sources have less zinc and zinc is less well absorbed from plant sources
Supplements are zinc salts
How is Zinc digested?
- hydrolysis of zinc from amino acids and nucleic acid before absorption
- zinc release by HCl in the stomach, and by proteases and nucleases in the stomach and small intestine