The chemical speciation of zinc in human saliva: possible correlation with reduction of the symptoms of the common cold produced by zinc gluconate-containing lozenges

Authors: Bakar, N. K. A.¹; Taylor, D. M.¹; Williams, D. R.¹

Source: Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, Volume 11, Number 3, August 1999 , pp. 95-101(7)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

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Abstract:

This work attempts to correlate the effectiveness of treatment with zinc gluconate lozenges in reducing the symptoms of common colds as measured in seven double-blind clinical trials in 648 volunteers, with (1) the total amount of zinc gluconate administered and (2) the salivary concentration of specific zinc species. The speciation was assessed using the JESS computer simulation of speciation in our saliva model. The results show that there is a significant correlation between the biological response and the concentration of free Zn²⁺_aq ions in saliva at pH 5.5. (P=0.01) or pH 6.75 (P<0.05), whereas there is no obvious correlation between biological response and the total amount of zinc present following the dissolution of a zinc gluconate lozenge in the mouth. The results suggest that optimal activity requires salivary free Zn²⁺_aq ion concentrations of >4 and >8 mmol dm⁻³ for saliva at pH=6.75 and pH=5.5, respectively.

Keywords: zinc; human saliva; common cold

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3184/095422999782775672

Affiliations: 1: Department of Chemistry, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 912, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3TB, UK

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