ANTIATHEROGENIC PROPERTIES OF ZINC - IMPLICATIONS IN ENDOTHELIAL-CELLMETABOLISM

Zinc is an essential component of biomembranes and is necessary for ma intenance of membrane structure and function. There is evidence that z inc can provide antiatherogenic properties by preventing metabolic phy siologic derangements of the vascular endothelium. Because of its anti oxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties, zinc appears to be crucia l for the protection against cell-destabilizing agents such as polyuns aturated lipids and inflammatory cytokines. Zinc also may be antiather ogenic by interfering with signaling pathways involved in apoptosis. M ost importantly, we have evidence that zinc can protect against inflam matory cytokine-mediated activation of oxidative stress-responsive tra nscription factors, such as nuclear factor kappa B and AP-1. It is ver y likely that certain lipids and zinc deficiency may potentiate the cy tokine-mediated inflammatory response and endothelial cell dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Thus, the antiatherogenic role of zinc appears to be in its ability to inhibit oxidative stress-responsive factors invo lved in disruption of endothelial integrity and atherosclerosis. We di scuss antiatherogenic properties of zinc with a focus on endothelial c ell metabolism.