Zinc and TBI: From Bench to Bedside

Zinc plays a crucial role in neuronal homeostasis due to its extensive physiological distribution in the neural tissue and the abundant metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. Neuronal zinc is involved in regulating neuronal signaling, microglial activation, cell growth, neurogenesis, and antioxidant functions. Zinc supplementation in mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) appeared to improve TBI-associated critical conditions such as hypoxia, altered consciousness level, and multiple organ failure owing to the effect of zinc on the endothelium, the immune reaction, and the triglyceride level. Zinc also improves the post-TBI sequelae (e.g., dementia and epilepsy) owing to its effect on the synthesis of the neurons and microtubules. Success factors that enhance the efficacy of zinc treatment involve the administered dose, the onset time of treatment, the duration of zinc intake, the zinc state (adequacy and deficiency), and the route of zinc administration.