ZINC-INDUCED SUPPRESSION OF INFLAMMATION IN THE RESPIRATORY-TRACT, CAUSED BY INFECTION WITH HUMAN RHINOVIRUS AND OTHER IRRITANTS

Free ionic zinc (Zn2+) in saliva shortens duration and severity of com mon cold (CC) symptoms. It is proposed that Zn2+ complexes with protei ns of critical nerve endings and surface proteins of human rhinovirus (HRV) (a) interrupt nerve impulses and (b) block docking of HRV on int ercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on somatic cells, thereby inte rrupting HRV infection. Since leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) binds leukocytes to cells through ICAM-1, initiating inflammat ion, Zn2+ is expected to block LFA-1/ICAM-1 binding and thereby suppre ss inflammation. This could explain reduction of inflammation experien ced by persons taking zinc gluconate/glycine (ZGG) lozenges for CC. Al lergic rhinitis (AR) and CC share many common symptoms, and ZGG also m itigates AR symptoms. Focal irritation, increased ICAM-1 expression, a nd recruitment of leukocytes to epithelial foci are the common element s. Zinc ions may be an important anti-inflammatory factor because they can block docking of both HRV and LFA-1 with ICAM-1.