Zinc-Monocysteine Complex and Method Of Using Zinc-Cysteine Complexes

Abstract

A method of providing zinc to a subject in need of treatment includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a zinc-cysteine complex. The zinc-cysteine complex is preferably a zinc-monocysteine complex. The complexes of zinc-cysteine of the present invention increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and the antioxidant protein metallothionein. The complexes of zinc-cysteine of the present invention protect retinal pigment epithelial cells from increasing hydrogen peroxide concentrations.

1 . A zinc-monocysteine complex. 
     
     
         2 . The zinc-monocysteine complex of  claim 1 , formed by the following method:
 heating a 1:2 gram ratio of L-cysteine and Zn (metal) at about 85 degrees C. for about 2 hours;   removing any solid residues by filtration;   evaporating to dryness.   
     
     
         3 . The zinc-monocysteine complex of  claim 1 , comprising C 3 H 5 NSO 2 Zn. 
     
     
         4 . A method of providing zinc to a subject in need of treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a zinc-cysteine complex. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the zinc-cysteine complex is a zinc-monocysteine complex. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the zinc-cysteine complex is administered orally. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the amount administered is 15-45 mg bioavailable zinc. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the complex of zinc-cysteine increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and the antioxidant protein metallothionein. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the complex of zinc-cysteine protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from increasing hydrogen peroxide concentrations. 
     
     
         10 . A zinc-cysteine complex suitable for oral ingestion by a human subject. 
     
     
         11 . The zinc-cysteine complex of  claim 10 , formed by the following method:
 heating a 1:2 gram ratio of L-cysteine and Zn (metal) at about 85 degrees C. for about 2 hours;   collecting the product by filtration;   evaporating to dryness.   
     
     
         12 . The zinc-cysteine complex of  claim 10 , comprising C 3 H 5 NSO 2 Zn. 
     
     
         13 . The zinc-monocysteine complex of  claim 1 , comprising the zinc-cysteine complex shown in the equation above the abstract in the paper attached to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/756,152.