Dietary antioxidant and zinc pathways

"Dietary antioxidant and zinc pathways" refers to the ensemble of cellular and molecular processes by which dietary antioxidants and the essential micronutrient zinc protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Zinc acts both directly, serving as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes and by maintaining genome stability, and indirectly, modulating signaling pathways (notably NF-κB and Nrf2) to upregulate the expression of antioxidant proteins and dampen inflammatory responses[1][2][3][4]. These pathways are integral for immune function, regulation of redox balance, DNA repair, and cellular protection from damage associated with chronic diseases. However, this is a systems-level concept, not a discrete, canonical molecular target.

Other names

Dietary antioxidant pathwaysZinc antioxidant pathwaysAntioxidant defense zinc-relatedZinc and oxidative stress pathways

Induction of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase); Suppression of NADPH oxidase activity; Displacement of redox-active metals (iron, copper) from membranes and proteins; Induction of metallothionein and glutathione synthesis; Modulation of NF-κB, Nrf2, and other transcription factors