DefinePK

Abstract

BackgroundMicronutrients are vitamins and trace elements, which are parts of components needed to support the immune system. They play a role in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of epithelial barriers, and regulation of immune cellular and humoral reactions, and they are of utmost significance for the pulmonary system.
ObjectiveThe primary objective of this systematic review is to identify the current status of evidence on the involvement of specific vitamins, including vitamins A, D, C, and E, and trace elements, including zinc, selenium, and iron for immunity and pulmonary health. In detail, the work is mainly devoted to the effects of these agents on epithelial barriers and immunity to respiratory diseases.
MethodologyAn extensive search regarding the articles was done in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, and the search was confined to the articles published between January 2017 and December 2021. The inclusion criteria included randomized control trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies that analyzed the effect of these vitamins and trace elements on the immune response and respiratory system. The methodological quality of the publications included in the meta-analysis was evaluated by two assessment instruments, the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
ResultsAfter screening the relevant databases, 113 papers comparing LOS were included in the systematic review. It revealed strong tendencies, proving that vitamin D helps to decrease the risk of respiratory infections during the treatment and has positive effects on chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and COPD. Folic acid was found to improve the immune function of the cells, especially the respiratory infections, by decreasing the severity and duration of the infection. Zinc and selenium were established to have an essential role in decreasing the respiratory infection risk and regulating inflammation.
ConclusionThis systematic review of evidence therefore supports the immunomodulatory and pulmonary protective effects of selected vitamins and trace elements. These micronutrients are useful in controlling the incidence and severity of respiratory infections as well as enhancing results in chronic lung disorders.