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Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Vol 40, 483-493, Copyright © 1997 by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
GA Eby
This is a re-analysis of reports from 1984 to 1992 of double-blind,
placebo-controlled, clinical trials of zinc lozenges in the treatment of
common colds. This re-analysis was performed to test the hypothesis that
major variations in daily zinc ion availability (ZIA) between chemically
different lozenge formulations caused differing results in these clinical
trials. Solution chemistry computations determined the bioavailability of
Zn2+ ions at physiological pH from the lozenges used in these clinical
trails. ZIA was derived from Fick's laws of diffusion in a bio-electric
field. Lozenges that released Zn2+ ions at physiological pH (positive ZIAs)
shortened colds. Lozenges that released negatively charged zinc species at
physiological pH (negative ZIAs) lengthened colds. Lozenges having a zero
ZIA had no effect on common colds. Lozenges with ZIA = 100 shortened colds
by 7 days while ZIA = -55 lozenges lengthened colds by 4.4 days. A linear
dose-response relationship exists between ZIAs of zinc lozenges and changes
in duration of common colds. It is concluded that: prospective efficacy of
zinc lozenges can be predicted based upon readily determined ZIA factors
and ZIAs; chemically different zinc lozenge formulations having greatly
different ZIAs resulted in greatly differing results in clinical trials;
mast cell granule-derived Zn2+ ions are the foundation of the primary
immune system; and high ZIA zinc acetate lozenges are beneficial for common
colds.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Zinc ion availability--the determinant of efficacy in zinc lozenge treatment of common colds
George Eby Research, Austin, TX 78704, USA. coldcure@bga.com
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