The role of zinc in bone appears to be two fold; it appears to diminish resorption and to stimulate formation and it has been shown to increase bone mass in osteopenic environments in animal models.
Zinc is believed to play a role in bone due to its structural function in the bone matrix since bone mineral is composed of hydroxyapatite crystals which contain zinc.
Zinc may stimulate osteoblasts proliferation, stimulate bone protein formation, increase transcription factors involved in pre-osteoblasts differentiation, decrease bone resorption and reduce osteoclast differentiation.
Zinc may increase enzyme activity, bone protein content, nucleic acid content and insulin-like growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor- β production which may be important for fracture healing. It also involved in the maintenance of membrane structure and function as well as hormonal activity.
Animal studies suggest that zinc deficiency will cause problems in bone. Bone growth retardation is a common finding in various conditions associated with zinc deficiency, suggesting a physiological role of zinc in the growth and calcification of bone tissue.
Bone zinc content is decreased by development with aging, skeletal unloading and postmenopausal conditions. Thus zinc deficiency may play a pathophysiological role in the deterioration of bone metabolism.
The role of zinc in bone
