Potential Interventions for SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Zinc Showing Promise

Zn, in the presence of a Zn ionophore (such as HCQ), shows potent anti-viral activity in vitro against coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV. This activity likely extends to SARS-CoV-2 and may potentially involve at least three different antiviral mechanisms. Zn deficiency may be associated with COVID-19 severity during infection and increase the risk of severity when present before infection. Maintaining normal Zn levels may help prevent illness severity in COVID-19 infection. An additional mechanism of HCQ activity in COVID-19 patients may be the Zn ionophore effect. Supplemental Zn has been shown to act together with HCQ (presumably acting as a Zn ionophore) in clinical studies of COVID-19 patients: demonstrating decrease hospitalizations, increased discharge in treated inpatients and decreased mortality. The elemental Zn dose in these studies was 50 – 100 mg per day (as Zn sulfate). Zn should be considered as an add-on to HCQ treatment regimens (at least 50mg elemental Zn equivalent, based on above studies). Zn could potentially allow for short courses and low doses of HCQ, yet remain a highly effective regimen.