Zinc, infections and immunosenescence

Infections may cause mortality in old age due to damaged immune responses. As zinc is required as a catalyst, structural (zinc fingers) and regulatory ion, it is involved in many biological functions, including immune respons es. Low zinc ion bioavailability and impaired cell-mediated immunity are co mmon in ageing and may be restored by physiological supplementation with zi nc for 1-2 months, impacting upon morbidity and survival. This article revi ews the role of zinc in immune efficacy during ageing, and also describes t he main biochemical pathways involved in the role of zinc in resistance to infections in ageing in order to better understand the possible causes of i mmunosenescence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved .