COVID-19: A Review on the Role of Trace Elements Present in Saudi Arabian Traditional Dietary Supplements

AbstractNutritional deficiency is associated with impaired immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. The complex interactions of trace elements with the macromolecules trigger the effective immune response against the viral diseases. The outcome of various viral infections along with susceptibility is affected by trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, etc. due to their immuno-modulatory effects. Available electronic databases have been comprehensively searched for articles published with full text available and with the key words “Trace elements”, “COVID-19”, “Viral Infections” and “Immune Response” (i.e. separately Zn, Se, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cr, Li, Ni, Co) appearing in the title and abstract. On the basis of available articles we have explored the role of trace elements in viral infections with special reference to COVID-19 and their interactions with the immune system. Zinc, selenium and other trace elements are vital to triggerTH1 cells and cytokine-mediated immune response for substantial production of proinflammatory cytokines. The antiviral activity of some trace elements is attributed to their inhibitory effect on viral entry, replication and other downstream processes. Trace elements having antioxidants activity not only regulate host immune responses, but also modify the viral genome. Adequate dietary intake of trace elements is essential for activation, development, differentiation and numerous functions.

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Potential Role of Trace Elements (Al, Cu, Zn, and Se) in Multiple Sclerosis Physiopathology

NeuroImmunoModulation ◽

10.1159/000511308 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 163-177

Author(s):

Mohammad Sadegh Hesamian ◽

Nahid Eskandari

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

T Cells ◽

Trace Elements ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Peripheral Tolerance ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Tolerance Breakdown ◽

Peripheral Immune Cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The cause of MS is not known completely, and pathology is specified by involved demyelinated areas in the white and gray matter of the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation and peripheral tolerance breakdown due to Treg cell defects and/or effector cell resistance are present at all stages of the disease. Several invading peripheral immune cells are included in the process of the disease such as macrophages, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, and plasma cells. Trace elements are known as elements found in soil, plants, and living organisms in small quantities. Some of them (e.g., Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se) are essential for the body’s functions like catalysts in enzyme systems, energy metabolism, etc. Al toxicity and Cu, Zn, and Se toxicity and deficiency can affect the immune system and following neuron inflammation and degeneration. These processes may result in MS pathology. Of course, factors such as lifestyle, environment, and industrialization can affect levels of trace elements in the human body.

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The role of analytical methods for the determination of trace elements in environmental biomonitors

Microchemical Journal ◽

10.1016/s0026-265x(02)00059-0 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 73 (1-2) ◽

pp. 131-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Maurizio Bettinelli ◽

Maurizio Perotti ◽

Sandro Spezia ◽

Claudio Baffi ◽

Gian Maria Beone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Analytical Methods

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The Role of Trace Elements and Interfaces in Creep Failure

Metallurgical Transactions A ◽

10.1007/bf02643769 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 520-520 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. L. White ◽

M. H. Yoo

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Creep Failure

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THE ROLE OF EFFLORESCENT SULFATES IN THE STORAGE OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN STREAM WATERS POLLUTED BY ACID MINE-DRAINAGE: THE CASE OF PENA DEL HIERRO, SOUTHWESTERN SPAIN

The Canadian Mineralogist ◽

10.2113/gscanmin.44.6.1431 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 1431-1446 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

A. Romero ◽

I. Gonzalez ◽

E. Galan

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Acid Mine Drainage ◽

Mine Drainage ◽

Acid Mine ◽

Stream Waters

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Multiple Sclerosis in the Mount Etna Region: Possible Role of Volcanogenic Trace Elements

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0074259 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e74259 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Alessandra Nicoletti ◽

Elisa Bruno ◽

Martina Nania ◽

Edoardo Cicero ◽

Silvia Messina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Trace Elements ◽

Mount Etna

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Role of Urban Greening Strategies for Environmental Sustainability—A Review and Assessment in the Context of Saudi Arabian Megacities

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116457 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6457

Author(s):

Abdullah Addas ◽

Ahmad Maghrabi

Keyword(s):

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Saudi Arabian ◽

Well Being ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Design Management ◽

Urban Greening ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Local Climate ◽

Questionnaire Surveys

The review and assessment of urban greening patterns play a crucial role in sustainable urban planning and green spaces (GSs) management, helping to improve human well-being. In recent years, various methods and strategies were applied to examine the relationship between GSs and environmental sustainability, but so far, no studies on systematic review and empirical assessments were carried out in Saudi Arabian context. Thus, a comprehensive review and assessment of current GSs patterns and planning strategies are important for achieving urban environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess spatial pattern of GSs across the cities and a bibliographic review on the urban greening strategies in the Saudi context. These six urban strategies were further supported from empirical evidence on Saudi cities. Geographical information system (GIS) techniques and questionnaire surveys were performed for spatial mapping of GSs and the perceived role of GSs strategies of the respondent to environmental sustainability across cities. The findings showed that (i) highest PCGS was reported from Dammam (5.4 m2) followed by Riyadh (1.18 m2), and Jeddah (0.5 m2); (ii) most of the respondents use GSs for picnic (59%), mental well-being (53%), and physical activities (47%), respectively; (iii) GSs play a significant role for local climate regulation such as temperature control (78%) and UHI reduction (81%), and GSs provide thermal comfort (84%), respectively; and (iv) 40% respondents do not use GSs due to the lack of availability, accessibility, design, management, and safety of GSs. Thus, such findings of the study surely assist planners and policy makers to understand and implement the suggested GSs strategies to meet the satisfaction level of the respondents as well as to manage GSs at neighborhood and city level for urban environmental sustainability.

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