# Multi-omics insights into dietary zinc–mediated reprogramming of the gut–nasal ecosystem in allergic rhinitis

**Authors:** Shiqi Yan, Zhijuan Zhang, Chunyan Xia, Peng Liu, Junbai Ma, Jian Liu, Tong Wu, Hao Wang, Ruixia Ma

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2026.1801629 · Frontiers in Allergy · 2026-03-16

## TL;DR

This study explores how dietary zinc can help treat allergic rhinitis by improving gut and nasal health in rats.

## Contribution

The study reveals a novel therapeutic mechanism of dietary zinc in alleviating allergic rhinitis through the gut-nasal axis.

## Key findings

- Zinc supplementation at 150 ppm alleviated allergic rhinitis in rats.
- Zinc inhibited inflammation and restored gut microbiota balance.
- Zinc enhanced short-chain fatty acid production and nasal mucosa metabolism.

## Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a prevalent kind of allergic disorders. Increasing evidence has revealed the critical role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in its onset and progression. The gut-nasal axis connecting the immune system and intestinal microecology offers a novel strategy for AR intervention.

This study employed a multi-omics approach to systematically investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of dietary Zinc (Zn) supplementation at a series of concentrations on AR.

The results indicated that Zn may exert alleviated AR in rats, especially at a dose of 150 ppm. Mechanistically, we found the effectiveness of Zn may attributed to inhibiting inflammation, restoring gut microbiota balance, enhancing microbial metabolite-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and regulating the nasal mucosa metabolism.

Collectively, our study indicate that dietary Zn intervention ameliorates AR in rats via gut-nasal axis, which may potentially provide a novel therapeutic treatment for the control of the disease.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Zinc (PubChem CID 23994)
- **Diseases:** allergic rhinitis (MONDO:0011786)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (taxon 10116)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** allergic disorders (MESH:D004342), inflammation (MESH:D007249), AR (MESH:D065631)
- **Chemicals:** short-chain fatty acids (MESH:D005232), Zinc (MESH:D015032), SCFAs (-)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

88 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13033786/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13033786