Serum Zinc Level in Asthatic & Non-asthmatic children aged 5-15 years

Zinc supplementation as a possible alternative therapy in asthma against traditional inhaled steroids

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a common disorder affecting both children and the adult population across the world. Nearly 300 million people suffer from asthma annually causing a heavy healthy and economic burden globally. Although asthma-induced death is not common, frequent asthma attack could worsen life quality, including learning and working; the intermittent use of inhaled steroids or beta agonist in asthma episodes could lead to osteoporosis and growth retardation. Also, many asthma cases are resistant to the traditional therapy. Due to the underlying harms of asthma, strenuous efforts have been made on the identification of novel therapy target. It is well-documented that inflame-mation, oxidative stress and immune dysregulation participate in the development and progression of asthma. Trace elements keep the homeostasis of the body, playing an important role in many pathophysiological processes, including asthma development. Zinc especially plays a very vital role in regulating immune system and its dysregulation can result in a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance towards a Th2 response, which may lead to a higher inflammatory responses. Zinc stimulates immune responses and prevents infections. It has a direct antiviral activity; inhibits entry of pathogens into cells and their intra-cellular replication.

Objective: To investigate the difference in serum zinc levels in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children as a means to assess possible association between zinc deficiency and asthma risk as well as in its asthma severity.

Participants and Study design: A total of 100 children attending the respective department with 50 from asthmatic group and 50 from non-asthmatic group were enrolled. These children were screened, those exhibiting no relevant signs of asthma or of having any history were classified as controls and those who did exhibit signs and symptoms of asthma were classified as cases and the same was based on international guidelines on Asthma and as per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines.

Method: A prospective case control study in which we took written consent from the parents of the participating children, which was followed by an array of base line investigations including CBC, LFT, KFT, abdominal and chest X-ray; besides other routine investigations. Serum zinc levels were calculated using the colorimeter method, data tabulated was analysed using statistical tools.

Results: 28% [28/100] deficiency of serum zinc levels in studied subjects was recorded with mean serum zinc level in asthmatic group being 58.14mcg/dl, while in non-asthmatic group mean serum zinc level was 88.91mcg/dl (p.value<0.0001). Although most of the asthma case were deficient in serum zinc (p.value < 0.001) but the same did not reflect any association between asthma severity and decreased serum zinc levels. Moreover no significant association of asthma severity was noticed in terms of gender and age (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Compared to non-asthmatic group, children with asthma were found to be deficient in serum zinc levels and the same can be supplemented to alleviate asthma symptoms and simultaneously avoiding concomitant steroid side effects.