Zinc level in COVID-19 infection: Truth or myth?

Background: COVID-19 is accompanied by a systemic hyperinflammatory reaction and thromboembolic consequences. Zinc has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, zinc deficiency adversely affects immune cells' survival and function. Although it is uncertain if COVID-19 individuals lack zinc, zinc administration is used in treatment. We aimed to determine if there is a change in zinc levels in COVID-19 individuals and the relationship between zinc levels and illness severity and outcome. Methods: Sixty individuals with COVID-19 infection verified by PCR were recruited. Patients' demographics, degree of illness at the time of blood specimen, and prognosis were gathered. The zinc level in serum was measured in the first 72 hours of admission, using a cutoff for normal zinc levels between 70.6 and 114 g/dl for women and 72.6 and 127 g/dl for men. Results: Sixty individuals with an average age of 50.7 + 14.41 years were enrolled in the study; 51.7% were males, 60% were diabetics, 73% had hypertension, and 35% had obesity, where BMI was above 30 kg/m2. Regarding the COVID-19 severity, the percentage was 28.3%, 50%, and 21.7% for mild, moderate, and severe cases, respectively. There was a high prevalence of zinc deficiency; about 87% (n=52) of the patients had below-normal zinc values. The median zinc level was 39.5 (20.5-58) μg/dl. No statistically significant association was observed between blood zinc levels and illness severity or prognosis. Conclusion: Zinc insufficiency might be a risk component for the incidence of COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, it seems unrelated to the disease course or outcome.