# Zinc intervention in prevention of pneumonia in elderly

> **NIH NIH R34** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2022 · $339,750

## Abstract

Pneumonia (PNA) is a leading cause of death and a major public health problem in the elderly, particularly for
nursing home (NH) residents. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective strategies to prevent PNA in elderly.
An important predisposing factor that may account for the higher incidence of PNA in older adults is the age-
associated decline in T cell function. Importantly, there are remarkable similarities between Zn deficiency and
age-induced changes in T cells. We have shown that 29% of NH residents have low serum Zn levels, which
was associated with higher incidence and duration of PNA, and antibiotic use. Although our preliminary data
strongly suggest that low serum Zn is an independent risk factor for PNA in the elderly, a controlled clinical trial
is critically needed to determine the efficacy of Zn supplementation in PNA prevention in this population. The
objective of the larger clinical trial that will pursue the studies proposed in this R34 is to determine the effects of
Zn supplementation on PNA outcomes in NH elderly and to understand their mechanistic basis. Our central
hypothesis is that improving Zn status in NH elderly with low serum Zn will reduce the incidence and duration
of PNA, and the frequency of antibiotic use, and that the effect of Zn is mediated mainly through the
improvement of T cell function and/or innate immunity. Our rationale for conducting the proposed clinical trial is
to determine the value of Zn supplementation as an inexpensive, easily implemented intervention that would
aid in the prevention of PNA in the elderly.
 In our previous study NH elderly with low serum Zn levels, who were supplemented with 30 mg/d of Zn and
½ RDA of essential micronutrients showed, on average, significantly improved serum Zn levels. However, only
58% of participant became serum Zn adequate. We therefore hypothesize that either a higher dose or a longer
duration of supplementation is required to achieve adequate serum Zn levels in all Zn deficient elderly. Our
rationale for conducting the proposed pilot study is to determine the most effective yet safe dose for Zn
supplementation in NH residents to be used in the larger clinical trial described above.
The Specific Aim of the proposed two-year, pilot study is to establish the optimal dose of supplemental Zn to
achieve adequate Zn status, and improved T cell function in Zn deficient elderly. We will accomplish this goal
by conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to test the efficacy of
supplementation with 30 or 60 mg/d of Zn for 12 months on serum and immune cell Zn levels, key measures of
T cell mediated and innate immunity, and adverse events. The findings of this proposal are scientifically
essential, yet sufficient, to allow us to make definitive decisions that inform the final design of our planned
clinical trial, which aims to establish the value of Zn supplementation as an inexpensive, easily implemented
intervention that would aid in th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10439741
- **Project number:** 5R34HL153277-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexander Panda
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $339,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10439741

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10439741, Zinc intervention in prevention of pneumonia in elderly (5R34HL153277-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10439741. Licensed CC0.

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