Zinc and Zinc Transporters in Dermatology

December 2022 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Zubaidah Al-Khafaji, Sofia Brito, Bum-Ho Bin

zinc zinc transporters ZIP7 ZIP13 keratinocyte proliferation keratinocyte differentiation keratinocyte survival hair keratinization zinc deficiency alopecia zinc oxide sunscreen UV radiation ZnO UV

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Studysummary This review discusses the role of zinc and its transporters in skin health and disorders, providing an overview without presenting new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The review "Zinc and Zinc Transporters in Dermatology" discusses the vital role of zinc and zinc transporters in maintaining skin health. Zinc, which the human body cannot produce or store, supports over 200 enzymes, is essential for DNA synthesis, immunity, wound healing, and normal fetal growth. Zinc transporters control zinc homeostasis within the skin's layers, and their dysfunction can lead to diseases like spondylocheirodysplastic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (SCD-EDS) and acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE). Zinc deficiency can impair keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and survival, and cause abnormal hair keratinization. Zinc and its transporters, particularly ZIP7 and ZIP13, play crucial roles in maintaining dermal homeostasis, regulating inflammation, and promoting optimal development of the dermal layer. Clinical trials have demonstrated that zinc can reduce acne and manage other skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is widely used in sunscreen formulations due to its ability to absorb, scatter, and reflect harmful UV radiation. The document concludes that zinc, in various forms, plays a significant role in managing and treating a wide range of skin disorders, including alopecia.

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research Role of Zinc in Mucosal Health and Disease: A Review of Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Processes

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research Getting Under the Skin of Hair Aging: The Impact of the Hair Follicle Environment

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research The Role of the SLC39A Family of Zinc Transporters in Zinc Homeostasis in Skin

19 citations , February 2018 in “Nutrients”

This review discusses the relationship between zinc deficiency and skin disorders, emphasizing zinc transporters' roles, but it reports no new clinical results; the authors highlight potential benefits of regulating zinc levels via transporters.

research Requirement of Zinc Transporter ZIP10 for Epidermal Development: Implication of the ZIP10–p63 Axis in Epithelial Homeostasis

59 citations , October 2017 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study found that the zinc transporter ZIP10 is crucial for epidermal development, as it influences the activity of p63, promoting epidermal morphogenesis.

research Combination Therapy with Zinc Gluconate and PUVA for Alopecia Areata Totalis: An Adjunctive but Crucial Role of Zinc Supplementation

16 citations , March 2015 in “Dermatologic therapy”

This study reported two cases of alopecia areata where hair regrowth was achieved with zinc gluconate and sulfur amino acids after relapse post-PUVA cessation, suggesting potential zinc responsiveness in some patients.

research Evidence for Supplemental Treatments in Androgenetic Alopecia

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research Adipocytes in Skin Health and Disease

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research Beyond Goosebumps: Does the Arrector Pili Muscle Have a Role in Hair Loss?

31 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This review summarizes the anatomy and physiology of the arrector pili muscle and discusses its potential role in hair loss disorders, reporting no new clinical results.

research Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review

165 citations , January 2014 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

This review discusses the various dermatological applications of zinc, including its use in treating infections, inflammatory dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, and neoplasias, and reports no new clinical findings.

research Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin

277 citations , July 2011 in “Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association”

The skin's layers protect, sense, and regulate the body's internal balance, but can be prone to cancer.

The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

research The Therapeutic Effect and Changed Serum Zinc Level After Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients with Low Serum Zinc Level

65 citations , January 2009 in “Annals of Dermatology”

In this study, oral zinc supplementation for twelve weeks increased serum zinc levels in alopecia areata patients with low zinc, showing positive hair regrowth in 66.7% of participants, though this was not statistically significant.

research The ZIP7 Gene (Slc39a7) Encodes a Zinc Transporter Involved in Zinc Homeostasis of the Golgi Apparatus

195 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study shows that ZIP7 is a functional zinc transporter in mammalian cells, facilitating the movement of zinc from the Golgi apparatus to the cytoplasm.

research The Effects of Minoxidil, 1% Pyrithione Zinc, and a Combination of Both on Hair Density: A Randomized Controlled Trial

57 citations , August 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that daily use of 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo modestly improved hair growth over 26 weeks, although these effects were less than those of 5% minoxidil.