The Biomedical Role of Zinc in the Functioning of the Human Organism

Abstract

Abstract Zinc is one of the most important microelements that can be found in the human organism. It is a component or an activator of various enzymes and takes part in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. It is present in all types of human tissue. About 90% of the general amount of zinc can be found in bones and muscles, 11% in liver and skin. Zn2+ ions are stable ions in biological environment and they do not participate in redox reactions that occur inside an organism. Assimilability of this element by living organisms is varied. It depends largely on the sort of food and interactions occurring between zinc and other elements. Zinc is an essential element for normal development and maintenance of human health. The data presented in this article result from an overview of studies presented in literature published in the last five years concerning zinc transport mechanisms, the role of zinc in functioning of the human body, and also pathophysiological states caused by too low or excessive concentration of zinc in an organism.