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Agenda

OVERVIEW

This is a one-day workshop in which invited experts in the fields of epidemiology, immunology, trace metals and nutrition, and alcohol-induced tissue injury will review the scientific evidence that

  • Alcohol abuse and zinc depletion act in an additive or synergistic manner to undermine the immune system thereby increasing susceptibility to infections,
  • Alcohol abuse and zinc depletion act in an additive or synergistic manner to increase oxidative stress, and in this way cause tissue injury,
  • The mechanism of zinc action is through its possible restorative effects on the immune system and/or antioxidant pathways,
  • Zinc deficiency is a risk factor for alcohol-induced liver injury, and 
  • Consumption of zinc is a safe and effective means of affording protection from alcohol-induced tissue injury. 
Background:  The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), in partnership with other NIH Institutes and Federal agencies, held a workshop in November 1998 on zinc and health.  The purpose of this workshop was to review the current science regarding zinc and health and to recommend future areas for research.  Zinc deficiency is an underlying feature of alcohol abuse and malnutrition-related disturbances in zinc metabolism in alcoholics have been known for some time.  Zinc status and alcohol use were not addressed in the 1998 workshop.  The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) along with ODS consider it timely to explore the many dimensions of these co-occurring diseases.  Based upon an assessment of the state-of-the-science, the panel will make recommendations for targeted initiatives in basic and translational research on the role of nutritional zinc supplementation in attenuating alcohol-related organ damage consequent to immunosuppression and oxidative stress.