Neurace Z

Uses

Selenious acid is an ingredient found in supplements, vitamins, parenteral nutrition, and dandruff shampoo.

Selenium injection is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solutions given for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Administration of selenious acid in TPN formulas helps to maintain plasma selenium levels and also to maintain endogenous stores to prevent deficiency .

Selenium compounds, such as selenium sulfide, are used topically in anti-dandruff shampoos and in cases of seborrhea .

For the purpose of brevity, selenite will the focus of discussion, and more information about selenium can be obtained at Selenium.

Zinc is an essential element commonly used for the treatment of patients with documented zinc deficiency.

Zinc can be used for the treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency/its consequences, including stunted growth and acute diarrhea in children, and slowed wound healing. It is also utilized for boosting the immune system, treating the common cold and recurrent ear infections, as well as preventing lower respiratory tract infections .

Neurace Z is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Selenium Deficiency, Parenteral Nutrition, Selenium SupplementationCandidiasis, Common Cold, Diaper Dermatitis, Diaper Rash, Eye redness, Iron Deficiency (ID), Ocular Irritation, Skin Irritation, Sunburn, Wilson's Disease, Zinc Deficiency, Dietary and Nutritional Therapies, Dietary supplementation

How Neurace Z works

Sodium selenite likely has the same mechanism of action as Selenium.

The most important physiological role of sodium selenite is associated with its presence as an active component of many enzymes and proteins, in addition to its antioxidative role. Selenium has been shown to activate anticancer agents, prevent heart and vascular diseases, exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, and to stimulate the immune system .

Its anticancer properties may be explained by the oxidation of free sulfhydryl groups. Tumor cells express free sulfhydryl groups (–SH) on the surface of their cell membranes and contribute to uncontrolled cell division. Only those compounds that can oxidize these groups to disulfides (S–S) may inhibit this process. Some organic forms of selenium, including selenocysteine, methylseleninic acid, and Se-methylselenocysteine have been established to be antioxidants. However, their anticancer mechanism is still not well understood .

Selenious acid, during an in vitro study, was found to stimulate hemoglobin synthesis in three different malignant erythroleukemia cell lines (MEL) . It has also been shown to increase the release of interleukin 2 in a dose-dependent manner . Interleukin-2 is made by a type of T lymphocyte (white blood cell). It increases the growth and activity of other T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes and this contributes to the development of the immune system .

Zinc has three primary biological roles: catalytic, structural, and regulatory. The catalytic and structural role of zinc is well established, and there are various noteworthy reviews on these functions. For example, zinc is a structural constituent in numerous proteins, inclusive of growth factors, cytokines, receptors, enzymes, and transcription factors for different cellular signaling pathways. It is implicated in numerous cellular processes as a cofactor for approximately 3000 human proteins including enzymes, nuclear factors, and hormones .

Zinc promotes resistance to epithelial apoptosis through cell protection (cytoprotection) against reactive oxygen species and bacterial toxins, likely through the antioxidant activity of the cysteine-rich metallothioneins .

In HL-60 cells (promyelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc enhances the up-regulation of A20 mRNA, which, via TRAF pathway, decreases NF-kappaB activation, leading to decreased gene expression and generation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, and IL-8 .

There are several mechanisms of action of zinc on acute diarrhea. Various mechanisms are specific to the gastrointestinal system: zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity and enterocyte brush-border enzyme activity, it promotes the production of antibodies and circulating lymphocytes against intestinal pathogens, and has a direct effect on ion channels, acting as a potassium channel blocker of adenosine 3-5-cyclic monophosphate-mediated chlorine secretion. Cochrane researchers examined the evidence available up to 30 September 2016 .

Zinc deficiency in humans decreases the activity of serum thymulin (a hormone of the thymus), which is necessary for the maturation of T-helper cells. T-helper 1 (Th(1)) cytokines are decreased but T-helper 2 (Th(2)) cytokines are not affected by zinc deficiency in humans [A342417].

The change of Th(1) to Th(2) function leads to cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Because IL-2 production (Th(1) cytokine) is decreased, this causes decreased activity of natural-killer-cell (NK cell) and T cytolytic cells, normally involved in killing viruses, bacteria, and malignant cells [A3424].

In humans, zinc deficiency may lead to the generation of new CD4+ T cells, produced in the thymus. In cell culture studies (HUT-78, a Th(0) human malignant lymphoblastoid cell line), as a result of zinc deficiency, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, phosphorylation of IkappaB, and binding of NF-kappaB to DNA are decreased and this results in decreased Th(1) cytokine production .

In another study, zinc supplementation in human subjects suppressed the gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased oxidative stress markers [A3424]. In HL-60 cells (a human pro-myelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc deficiency increased the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-8 cytokines and mRNA. In such cells, zinc was found to induce A20, a zinc finger protein that inhibited NF-kappaB activation by the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor pathway. This process decreased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers .

The exact mechanism of zinc in acne treatment is poorly understood. However, zinc is considered to act directly on microbial inflammatory equilibrium and facilitate antibiotic absorption when used in combination with other agents. Topical zinc alone as well as in combination with other agents may be efficacious because of its anti-inflammatory activity and ability to reduce P. acnes bacteria by the inhibition of P. acnes lipases and free fatty acid levels .

Toxicity

The toxicity of selenium has been consistently well documented. However, some early studies reported that selenium may be a carcinogen. Nelson et al. (1943) showed that rats fed diets containing Se as seleniferous wheat developed hepatic tumors and low-grade carcinomas in 11 out 53 study animals .

Selenium at high doses (15-30 mcg/egg) has been reported to have significant adverse embryological effects on developing chickens. There currently no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Selenious acid injections should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the growing fetus .

The presence of selenium in the placenta and the umbilical cord blood has been reported in humans .

Overdosage symptoms with selenious acid include:

Acute Brick red–color gastric mucosa, cerebral edema, coma, death, fulminating peripheral vascular collapse, garlic or sour breath odor, gastrointestinal disturbance, hemolysis, hypersalivation, internal vascular congestion, liver necrosis, muscle spasms, pulmonary edema, and restlessness .

Chronic Dental defects, dermatitis, garlic odor of breath and/or sweat, gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, mental depression, metallic taste, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, weak nails .

According to the Toxnet database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the oral LD50 for zinc is close to 3 g/kg body weight, more than 10-fold higher than cadmium and 50-fold higher than mercury .

The LD50 values of several zinc compounds (ranging from 186 to 623 mg zinc/kg/day) have been measured in rats and mice .

Volume of Distribution

Following oral intake and absorption, selenium from sodium selenite is found in the highest concentrations in the liver and kidneys of humans and animals .

In one study, tissue samples taken at autopsy from 46 healthy individuals killed in accidents and from 75 corpses of victims of various diseases to analyze selenium levels and distribution . The per-weight-unit basis of selenium levels ng/gm in wet in tissues decreased in the following order: kidney (469) > liver > spleen > pancreas > heart > brain > lung > bone > skeletal muscle. The highest proportion of body selenium was found in skeletal muscles (27.5%) , . Significantly less selenium was measured in bones (16%) and blood (10%). In the tissues of cancer corpses, the selenium levels were lower than levels in the control group. The lowest selenium concentrations were measured in alcoholic livers .

A pharmacokinetic study was done in rats to determine the distribution and other metabolic indexes of zinc in two particle sizes. It was found that zinc particles were mainly distributed to organs including the liver, lung, and kidney within 72 hours without any significant difference being found according to particle size or rat gender .

Elimination Route

The absorption of selenite following oral administration approximately 40-70% of an oral dose, based on studies done in humans .

Selenoprotein P, the plasma form of selenium, contains at least 40% of the total selenium in plasma . Deletion of the gene for selenoprotein P in mouse models alters the distribution of selenium in body tissues suggesting that selenoprotein P is necessary for selenium transport .

Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine by a carrier-mediated mechanism . Under regular physiologic conditions, transport processes of uptake do not saturate. The exact amount of zinc absorbed is difficult to determine because zinc is secreted into the gut. Zinc administered in aqueous solutions to fasting subjects is absorbed quite efficiently (at a rate of 60-70%), however, absorption from solid diets is less efficient and varies greatly, dependent on zinc content and diet composition .

Generally, 33% is considered to be the average zinc absorption in humans . More recent studies have determined different absorption rates for various populations based on their type of diet and phytate to zinc molar ratio. Zinc absorption is concentration dependent and increases linearly with dietary zinc up to a maximum rate [L20902].

Additionally zinc status may influence zinc absorption. Zinc-deprived humans absorb this element with increased efficiency, whereas humans on a high-zinc diet show a reduced efficiency of absorption .

Half Life

30 days in beagle dogs .

The half-life of zinc in humans is approximately 280 days .

Clearance

In one study of healthy patients, the clearance of zinc was found to be 0.63 ± 0.39 μg/min .

Elimination Route

Selenium is eliminated mainly in the urine. However, significant endogenous losses through the feces can also occur . The rate of excretion varies with the chemical form of selenium used in supplementation and the route of administration. Other minor routes of elimination are lungs and skin .

Analysis of 72-hour urine sampling from a study of 48 Norwegian women given a 200 μg supplement of selenium in the form of selenite indicated approximately 50% absorption of selenite .

The excretion of zinc through gastrointestinal tract accounts for approximately one-half of all zinc eliminated from the body .

Considerable amounts of zinc are secreted through both biliary and intestinal secretions, however most is reabsorbed. This is an important process in the regulation of zinc balance. Other routes of zinc excretion include both urine and surface losses (sloughed skin, hair, sweat) .

Zinc has been shown to induce intestinal metallothionein, which combines zinc and copper in the intestine and prevents their serosal surface transfer. Intestinal cells are sloughed with approximately a 6-day turnover, and the metallothionein-bound copper and zinc are lost in the stool and are thus not absorbed .

Measurements in humans of endogenous intestinal zinc have primarily been made as fecal excretion; this suggests that the amounts excreted are responsive to zinc intake, absorbed zinc and physiologic need .

In one study, elimination kinetics in rats showed that a small amount of ZnO nanoparticles was excreted via the urine, however, most of the nanoparticles were excreted via the feces .

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