Zinc chloride

DB14533ApprovedSmall moleculeBasic Ointments and Protectants

Zinc chloride is a medication used to treat zinc deficiencies and associated symptoms and also in total parenteral nutrition. Zinc chloride is a solution of ions indicated for use in total parenteral nutrition to maintain zinc levels and prevent deficiency syndromes.

Mechanism: Zinc performs catalytic, structural, and regulatory roles in the body. Zinc is a component of approximately 3000 human proteins.
Zinc is cytoprotective against reactive oxygen species mediated apoptosis through the action of metallothioneins.
In a promyelocytic leukemia cell line, zinc enhances the up-regulation of A20 mRNA, which, via the TRAF pathway, decreases NF-kappaB activation, leading to decreased gene expression and generation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8.
In patients with diarrhea, zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity, restores enterocyte brush-border enzyme activity, promotes the production of antibodies, and promotes the production of circulating lymphocytes against intestinal pathogens. Zinc also directly affects ion channels as a potassium channel blocker of cAMP-mediated chlorine secretion.
Zinc deficiency decreases thymulin, inhibiting T-helper cell maturation and decreased Th-1 cytokines like IL-2. Decreased IL-2 decreases the activity of NK cells and CD8+ T cells. Zinc deficiency also leads to the generation of CD4+ T cells, decreased NF-κB activation, decreased phosphorylation of IκB, and decreased binding of NF-κB to DNA.
Curator reviewed · 8 references
Primary indication: Zinc chloride injections are indicated for use total parenteral nutrition to maintain zinc serum levels and prevent deficiency syndromes.Curator reviewed · 1 structured indication
Formula / weight: Cl₂Zn · 136.315 g/mol (avg)
First approval: Canada, 1998 · United States, 1990