Zinc Level in Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum zinc levels (SZL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk via a meta-analysis. Human studies that have reported SZL in patients with IBD and healthy controls were retrieved from different databases. Of the 123 identified articles, only 16 met our criteria and were examined for data extraction and analysis. Our analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between SZL and Crohn's disease. There was no significant relationship between SZL and ulcerative colitis. In conclusion, the results of the meta-analysis indicate a significant association between low SZL and the risk of Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis.