Sitting in the stand, cheering us all on back on the 12th of May,were Hamlet fans Steve Baker & his mum Claire.
"My mum thought it was really enjoyable day. The atmosphere was friendly, so much so that she wants to be added to Andys DHSFC e-mailing grouping. So if the weather's good you might have her cheering you on from the touchline at Belair Park next season.
The National anthems were good, they struck me (whilst adding a professional touch) as being more of a humerous touch (the joke being that no-one expected such a level of professionalism) so to me it seemed immediately funny.
The programme was a great read, and the colour cover was superb!
The referee seemed to be an amicable gentleman, this undoubtedly added to the friendly atmosphere, can you imagine what it would have been like if he'd been a bit of a cretin?
The football was devoid of any bookings, or even unsavoury incidents and appeared to be played in a good spirit.
The weather held up, but only just.
A humerous point, I suppose, was the announcement that the 'tea bar' was open, but then finding it was only selling burgers & sausages and not cups of rosy! What sort of impression was that to give to our 'Johnny Foreigner' guests...not even selling our own national drink?
It was nice to see some of the older Hamlet shirts being worn. The Pink 'n' Blue quarters, which was going back to the late nineties, I think.
At last I can put a face and a name to Mr. Onionbagblogger. Presumably he left early as he was due at a facny dress party as a 1960's Tour de France cyclist?
It was weird to see the curious (to a non-smoker) sight of several players who were substituted..and lighting up straight away on the touchline!
We both got obvious pleasure from seeing both sets of our visiting friends having such a good time.
It's mind boggling to see something that started off as an idea grow into a real event, and featured in 'Time Out' as well. In my view this tournament has the potential to grow...LARGE!
The only slight downer was that I was suffering from a bit of a cold, so didn't stay for the boozing in the bar afterwards.
Thank you to everyone who organised the day, it really was appreciated, and thanks for being invited down, pitchside, to sit in the dugout!
Roll on the second 'Pa' Wilson Cup! "
Nice words, thanks to Steve & Claire for letting us know how the day went for them.
Saturday 26th May 2007 10.45am kick off at Norman Park, Bromley, Kent.
But back to Norman Park, on the borders of the English quarter of suburban London & the match that took place there. Once again we were hampered by some late drop outs, and the rushed call up of 'guests', but this did not stop the Hamlet roaring into a two goal advantage thanks to a brace from Joe Gillam, before Le Bromlei roared back to take a three two lead at the break. Early in the second half we equalised thanks to Chris Garrett, and that was how the score stayed until the last few minutes of this well fought, but friendly natured encounter. With not long left on the clock Matt Hammond in goal was elbowed, on the blind side of the referee with his guide dog being the only pooch in the entire park that failed to see it, and it was 4-3 to them. The same player who committed this 'non existant' foul had gone in on Matt with a late challenge not long before, with his goal disallowed. He proceeded to spend the remainder of the game getting niggly, moaning, and throwing his 'toys out of the pram', the only one on the pitch not really adherring to the 'IFA Spirit'. So when they did take the lead it was only 'justice' that Alex Bushell, for us, got the final touch for an own goal, which none of their lot could claim! We went straight on the attack to try to claw back the game, & the old man in black redeemed himself by over-ruling their lino who was flagging for a non existent offside. As play continued we won a corner which Bromley failed to defend properly as they were still 'discussing amongst themselves' the offside call. Whilst their 'Mothers Meeting' was continuing instead of getting back and defending properly we levelled up the match following a bit of a goalmouth scramble! Joe Gillam getting the final touch to claim his hat-trick. This was another good performance from The Rabblers, especially so when we lost our home game against the Hayes Lane Ultras 6-0 at Belair Park earlier this season. Seasoned veteran Ferenc Morath rolled back the years, all forty six of them!, to have an excellent game at centre back, possibly one of his best ever for us. Alex Bushell performed well, as did Chris 'Tubby' Tabrett when he came on at half time; though he has still to score that all illusive first goal for us he keeps on promising. And Steve 'Big Vern' Rickerby must have relishing the return of Matt Hammond in goal, so he could have what is becoming for him a rare runout on the park, having been stuck between the sticks for so long!
Despite not winning the game (& let's face it wins are a bit of a bonus for us!) we were outstanding for the first half hour of the match, passing the ball round well, a cracking all round team effort, whipping the ball in like seasoned professionals! The final whistle came with the traditional shaking of hands between two teams that may not like each other too much when the big boys play (not that that will happen too much now that they are in the Blue Square South!) but whu, underneath the surface, I think both sets of fans have a bit of begrudging admiration for each other!
Roll on the summer cricket match between us both!
Haye Lane Ultras 4 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 4.
Matt Hammond, Chris Garrett, Luke Gillam, Alex Bushell, Andrew Tucker, Ferenc Morath (Chris Tabrett), Jack McInroy (Ian Wright), Steve Rickerby, Joe Gillam, Josh Gillam, Relwyn Reffell.
Hamlet goalscorers: Joe Gillam (3), Chris Garrett.
Today we are away to Hayes Lane Ultras, the Bromley supporters' team.
he is getting married to SAM, in Ravello, on the Amalfi coast in Italy! Team manager Lawrence Marsh wasn't quite sure if this was a genuine excuse or not, so he's made sure he wangled an invite to the wedding to make sure!
Best wishes to them both, not just for the big day, but for the rest of their time spent together! Who knows...give it a few years & it could be a father & son or daughter running out playing for "The Rabblers" together. Don't knock it Chris...Mick & James O'Shaughnessy have shown it can be done, as have Phil Mitchell & his lad! So once the honeymoon's over son get those boots out and polished!
Last weekend, with our season being over, Mishi Morath, Mark Hutton & Paul Griffin made the trip to the lovely port of Dieppe, by boat from Newhaven, to cheer on our friends from Red Star.
The final score was Dieppe 2 Red Star 2 & if you look at this English report of the match & scroll down to the fourth photo you will see a snap of us with our Hamlet flags!
We were made really welcome, once again, by the Red Star fans, who seem to think we are rather crazy crossing over the Channel to cheer them on.
It was back in March 2005 that we actually travelled over to Paris for the first time to play Red Star supporters'. This was our fourth foreign tour, our inaugrial one to France, and our first ever full eleven a side match abroad. It was a wonderful day from start to finish, as we won the supporters' game 3-2, thanks to a superb Lawrence Marsh hat-trick. We were treated to a meal afterwards & were then guests at their First Team match later on. Without a doubt it is the most wonderful and emotional day I have ever experienced in all my years as a humble member of "The Rabblers".
Click on this link here to look at the archive photos of the day from the Red Star website.
This is the last resting place of TOMMY ROSE, a Dulwich Hamlet player who died in the First World War.
He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, in Rouen; which is the capital of Normandy, in France.
ROSE, Bombadier, T, 6147. "B" Bty. 156th Bde.Royal Field Artillery. 2nd August 1916. Age 35. Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Jane Rose. B.29.26.
The Commonwealth War Graves visitors book was signed in our names. Where it said 'address' we merely stated: Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Football Team.
Under comments we simply left the message: TOMMY ROSE B. 29. 26. A PLAYER FOR DULWICH HAMLET FOOTBALL CLUB. REMEMBERED AT LAST!
We each lifted up some of the soil in front of his headstone & placed, in turn, a Dulwich Hamlet enamel badge, before covering them over. Forever this piece of foreign land will be part of Champion Hill. Myself & Paul then carefully pinned a Dulwich Hamlet scarf around the stone, with the word Dulwich facing outwards below his regimental badge & above the inscription at the bottom, whilst Mark looked poignantly on. Even though there was only the three of us there it was an extremely moving moment, & we felt we were paying our respects on behalf of you all, we know that even if the rest of our team was not there in person you were all with us in spirit.
Fittingly, next to the cemetery is the local football ground, home of Rouen, who compete in the same division as our friends from Red Star. It somehow seemed like just the right spot for him with the floodlights towering over. If the fixtures fall well I plan to go back there to watch them there. If anyone would like a weekend away, & pay their own respects to Tommy Rose at the same time let me know & we can sort something out when the French CFA (fourth division) fixtures are released for next season.
This is a 10.45am kick off at Norman Park, Bromley. This is the big park behind their Hayes Lane stadium.
Unfortunately I am at work so there will no 'first hand report' from 'Rabbler', but I hope to give Andy a call for a run down on the match, & include a brief run down on the match, based on his comments, later in the weekend.
These are the ones that appear on the JK Jalgpallihaigla website.
Andy Tucker has received a lovely message from Madis Hallimae, who was in charge of the JK Jalgpallihaigla team at our tournament.
"At first I would like to thank Andrew, Lawrence, Mishi and all the other organizers who made this international tournament come true. You did a fantastic job!
When Andrew contacted me last autumn and wanted to have a small friendly in Tallinn, I agreed at once. These kind of matches are always interesting and everybody has a lot of fun. When I subsequently received an invitation to the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' International Tournament I was really surprised-basically both teams did not even know each other. After quick consideration we decided to go for it, because it sounded like an interesting adventure.
Andrew helped me find a decent hotel; he & Mishi guided us from Gatwick airport to our hotel; & on SAturday morning Mick & Chris led us to Champion Hill stadium, which we all appreciated.
To be honest, I did not have a clue what to expect from our opponents. We arrived in London almost with the best squad we have, only a few good defenders stayed at home. We did not really think how the results would go, our main purpose was to have fun & that we definately did!
Especially memorable was our last match against PSG Belgium supporters. The first half was a bit difficult for us, but after our great comeback in the second half, I and probably everyone in our team were sure that we were going to win this game. But like many times what has happened in our League matches back home in Estonia-we know how to throw the game away. The Belgians were very good and they kept fighting to the end. That was the key to their victory. Congratulations to them!
In Estonia we play in several tournaments every year, but The 'Pa' Wilson Cup was one of the best we have participated in. Well organized, nice & hospitable people, an excellent friendly feeling and good football-what more can you desire?
Thanks & see you in July!"
I don't know about you, but reading through that was wonderful! I am really looking forward to visiting Estonia in July to renew our aquaintances with JK Jalgpallihaigla!
I know none of us speak Estonain, but click here for their report of their day at Champion Hill in their own language!
These ones are the ones kindly taken by Robbie McClintock, and are all copyright him. So don't use them elsewhere without crediting him please.
On Saturday 25th May we are away to Hayes Lane Ultras, the Bromley supporters' team.
If you are available to play please make sure you email Andy Tucker to let him know as soon as possible. Thank you.
Nicolas Lucas has kindly dropped us an email to say how much he enjoyed our inaugrial International Football tournament last Saturday.
"I'd like to thank everyone who was running the tournament. The weather was ok, even though when we played there was a little rain. But it was nothing like the stroms we had last year at our 5-a-side tournament in Onhaye.
I think the games were very good, and especially the last game against the Estonians. What a great comeback we had. To be honest, I can't believe it yet...to think we were losing 5-2 with only eight minutes left to play, yet we won 7-5!
But for me, on a personal note, the most important game was the one against yourselves. Because you are good friends it is always a special occasion and if I'm right it is the first time we have beaten you in an eleven a side game.
It was a very long journey for all of us which started at 5.15 am and finished at 4.30am on the Sunday. But it was worth it. I am so happy that we won the tournament and of course I will marry Danuta next year!
A big thank you for your bottles of champagne.
So it really was a great day for us!
Once again thank you to you all!"
A wonderful message from Nicloas there, though I can't let his comment go by on the 11-a-side games without responding.
For those of you who have clicked on the Norm link below & looked at the photos on display, you may not have realised that if you click on one of the pictures you will be able to start a slideshow of all of Paul Griffin's photos from the day. It takes a while to go through as there are over one hundred & forty of them, but it's well worth it.
Here are links to some reports & photos from our tournament on Saturday.
& the second one here is from Norm.
A big thank you to both of them.
I don't know what some of you felt like yesterday, but having been a little bit involved in organising the day, I was bloody well nervous, just in case the whole day fell apart!
Thankfully, it went smoothly enough, & the inaugrial Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' FC International Football Tournament was a triumph! Even the overnight rain held off, apart from a few light showers.
I'm not going to go into detail about the matches, Paul Griffin will be offering his match reports, which I will link to here later.
The competition was great fun, with not one bad tackle, and no cards shown by the referee. In short it was the festival of fun we were hoping for.
The show opened with an introduction & welcome speech by Cllr. Columba Blango, of Southwark Council prior to the first of the trio of games, the opener being Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' versus our Estonian guests JK Jalgpallihaigla. He then went to the centre circle & set the ball rolling for the ceremonial kick off alongside our captain for the day Jack McInroy.
We lost the match 4-1, and though, in truth the Estonians were a better side than us, the score did flatter them somewhat, and we had some decent chances ourselves.
The second clash was ourselves again, against PSG Belgium. A nine goal thriller, unfortunately for us we conceded six of them! So it was ourselves who would end up with the 'wooden spoon', though we weren't too downhearted about it. For it was turning out to be a great, friendly day of football. The last game of the day thus turned out to be the 'final' as well as the last group match.
The Estonians needed to win to be declared champions, whereas a draw would secure top spot for PSG Belgium. This would be by virtue of them having equal goal difference of +3, but having scored more goals. So who was going to be declared champions? I think the busiest person was the one whose job it was to secure the 'winners ribbons' to the cup with plenty of chopping and changing! PSG were initially in the lead, but Jalgpallihaigla pulled to back to roar into a 5-2 lead, with the cup almost packed into one of their suitcases back to Tallinn! But the plucky little Belgians fought back like lions to take the tie, and thus the tournament, by the amazing scoreline of seven goals to five!
So, after the playing of our respective national anthems, and the presenting of medals to the referee, competition top score, &amp;amp;amp;amp; player of the tournament, & then third place & runners up trophies & medals to Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' & JK Jalpallihaigla it was the moment for proud PSG Belgium manager & chairman Nicolas Lucas to step up to lift the first ever Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' FC International Tournament 'PA' WILSON CUP amid cheers from his fellow team mates as 'We are the champions' by Queen was played over the tannoy!
So the football was over and it was time to socialise and relax in the bar over a few beers & lemonades.
Cue our own Andy Tucker rushing to the bar for plenty of glasses & bottles of champagne!
If anyone out there can imagine a more perfect ending to a superb day of football I have yet to think of one!
Congratulations to Nicolas & Danuta from absolutely everyone associated with the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Football Team!
Our tournament may have been held yesterday, but it actually 'began' many months ago. Unseen by all of us was a huge amount of 'donkey work' put in by both Larry Marsh & Andy Tucker, who put in dozens of hours over the last few months putting the whole thing together.
We also owe a huge thank you to Nick Mc Cormack, managing director of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Limited, for allowing us full use of the Club facilities for the day absolutely free of charge.
We were honoured to have Councillor Columba Blango, from Southwark Council, as our guest of honour to open the tournament & to actually kick off the first match!
Thanks to the tournament referee Freddie Collins for taking charge, without him there would have been no competition!
Paul Griffin, for the excellent programme colour cover, & (I suppose, pat myself on the back, if that's allowed) myself for the writing and collating the contents inside.
Jack Payne, the new chairman of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, for his attendance, & agreeing to present the trophies and medals at the close. Also to long standing Hamlet fan Brian Weber (first game in 1947!) for assisting him.
To Lindsey & Jim, for organising the music in the bar afterwards, and running a food bar.
Also to one of our squad Robbie McClintock, for acting as official photographer on the day. We hope to have his snaps on here on the not too distant future.
As well as those of Paul Griffin, who will also be doing a tournament report, watch this space, as we lift it from his Norm blog.
I hope I haven't left anyone out! If I have this is an honest oversight & not a snub!
Also thanks go to PSG Belgium & JK Jalgpallihaigla for coming over to London to take part.
And, just as important, thanks to all of "The Rabblers" squad for being here, including those who 'guested' for PSG Belgium, and who happily paid our higher tournament subs of £10 per player. We obviously do not charge our foreign friends to take part, and our overheads are high on the day, hence the raffle. The trophies & medals, engraving included, alone cost over £250! So well done everyone for paying with a smile on your face & understanding this...apart from one who it would be churlish to name, but probably resents it as he has 'played at a higher level'!
After the tournament ended we held a raffle in the bar to help cover some of the costs of staging the tournament. This was a great success, and I cannot let the raffle pass without saying a big thank you, not just to everyone who bought a few tickets, but to all those who generously donated some prizes, large or small. The raffle roll of honour is as follows: Bill Azzi; Tessa Jowell MP for Dulwich & West Norwood; Ferenc Morath; Mishi Morath; Mick O'Shaughnessy; Steve Rickerby; & the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust, who donated a selection of souvenirs from their Club Shop. And thanks to Paul Griffin & Andy Tucker for going around the bar to sell them.
It only seemed right & fair that the excellent top prize of a DVD player (most generously donated by Steve Rickerby) was wending it's way to Tallinn, as they had travelled the furthest to take part. I wonder if Currys have ever 'exported' one there before?
That's the end of my 'Oscar winning speech' here, it only leaves me to say thank you for reading it!
then click on the Union Jack at the top right, then go to guestbook on the left.
Only four days to go until we stage our first ever International Football Tournament, and with it being such an unusual and probably unique occassion for a supporters' team to organise it's caught the eye of none other that the world famous, middle class bible, London listings magazine Time Out! ,both in this weeks edition in the shops and online.
Though, to be fair, I can't really claim the credit for this. It helps when Mark Hutton is an old friend of someone who works on their sportsdesk. Cheers Hutty!
Back in September 2005 PSG Belgium came over to play is at Belair Park. I wasn't able to go to this match as I was working that morning. I hadn't realised that there was a report & a photo of the game until Jack McInroy emailed the link from the official PSG website.
And in January, earlier this year, we went to Paris; where we were honoured to be able to play the match at the actual training complex of the Paris Saint Germain First Team!
Here is the report & photos, by the alter ego of Paul Griffin.
In the evening the majority of us, Ie: those who were going back to England on the Saturday evening, saw PSG draw 0-0 with Sochaux in front of over 33,000 spectators; & the next day a few of us saw a local non-league match (level six) between Paris CA & FC St-Leu PB 95; with the visitors being victorious by the odd goal in three, a really awful match if truth be told, only livening up in the latter part of the second half, in front of about 70 spectators. "TheRabblers" contingent not moving far from the beer stand behind the goal!
These photos are ones that I took, and have been kindly uploaded onto this blog by Paul Griffin.
This is the Parc des Princes stadium, where PSG play. I took it when I got to Paris on the Friday, so I would have a nice clear snap in daylight.
Saturday...no signs of pre match nerves here.
Very few snaps from the game, I spent most of the match, until I had a late run out, filming clips of it on Larrys' camera phone. Hopefully a small DVD compilation of it will be on sale, with proceeds towards team funds, will be available in the not too distant future.
We played on the superb ulta-modern all-weather pitch. This is the main grass pitch adjacent to it, where PSG reserves play in the CFA Division (level four, the same as our old friends from Red Star) We used the main changing rooms under the stand.
The team photo taken by Jack McInroy appeared in the 'South London Press' the following Friday.
This is Danuta, partner of PSG Belgium chairman Nicolas.
After the match we partied in the car park, as there was no bar there, with copious amounts of Belgian beer-literally crates of it- magically appearing from the boots of their cars. I thank them for bringing coca cola too!
What is it with old people & weak bladders?
The chap on the right was on all the news-stands. Just before we arrived one of their true national icons was buried in what was, almost, a State Funeral.
This was a poster of him, Abbe Pierre, looking uncannily like our very own Mark Hutton!
"Should be a good game..."
"Bloody hell! It's worse than Dulwich Hamlet when Martin Eede was manager!"
The height of sophistication...wine in a plastic glass!
Well it could be worse...the other one might've been in his boxers!
A rarely seen thing: Phil Baker with a non-alcoholic drink!
And on that note...thanks for looking through.
I hope you have all enjoyed what I have posted so far.
But please not that sometimes this site will appear dormant, but will still be added to.
I don't have the time, nor the technology, at the moment to fill it every day, or even every week.
Postings should quieten down following May 12th.
Rabbler: Coming up soon is our first ever International Football Tournament. How exactly did that come about?
Andy: We've been mulling over the idea for quite a while now, a number of different people have been suggesting it. So we sat down and considered inviting a whole bunch of teams, and we've been extremely lucky that both PSG Belgium & our new friends from Estonia have agreed to come over. Lots of people are chipping in with help here and there to make the day a success, it's been a real team effort.
Rabbler: We've been on tour abroad quite a few times ourselves now. Which ones have you enjoyed most?
Andy: I missed the first two, but I've enjoyed all the other ones I've been on for different reasons. Rimini in particular in 2004, because it meant I was no longer a 'tour virgin', plus it was on the coast,and I went there for longer than the weekend & it was a bit of a holiday for me. Also, last May in Namur for the PSG Belgium tournament was rather special. It was great to be hanging around with everyone & Nicolas, Danuta & their friends were excellent hosts. It was good to meet up with friends we'd made the previous year at the RFC Liege tournament. But it's still hard to single one or two trips out, I've loved every 'Rabblers' tour I've been on.
Rabbler: How long have you been turning out for the Supporters' Team? Do you remember anything about your first game?
My first away game was at Bishop's Stortford in January 1995, we won comfortably, 5-0, or 5-1, something like that. I remember setting up the first goal. It was the day I became one of "The Rabble", matching Mishi drink for drink in the pub, I think he was rather impressed! For quite a while afterwards I was known as Andy 'Two Dogs' Tucker, in tribute to the vast wuantity of that alcopop I was downing. That was also the first game Roger Deason played after banging his heas, causing him minor brain damage-seriuosly!- in our record 15-2 defeat on the all weather pitch at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre a few weeks before. Which also happened to be the game where Mishi stabbed our keeper Matt Hammond in the changing room afterwards.
Andy: Ah yes, that was in only my second season. You were with me that day. We were away to Hitchin Town Supporters' in the first leg of the Canary Cup, and the First Team match had already been called off. Surprisingly the park pitch they'd booked was playable, so they said. In fact it was like an ice rink, and only 'playable' because they hadn't actually booked the pitch, and were using it without the local councils permission. There was heavy snow on the way up the A1 Motorway, & it was freezing over on the tarmac. It was extremely dangerous, and cars were sliding into each other all over the place. I wasn't actually aware of this because I was nodding off in the back seat, as was the other passenger Jamie Wyatt, as our driver Larry Marsh, valiantly tried to battle on. Until another car clipped us. I suddenly woke to find us spinning, facing the wrong way with two bloody great lorries coming towards us. Thankfully they managed to slow down, as they were probably more accustomed to the conditions as professional drivers, and we managed to get over to the hard shoulder. We waited for the police to turn up, who did nothing and were no help at all, & we eventually got to the match at about half time. The worst thing was we didn't get any sympathy at all from the rest of the team, who couldn't care less about our tale of bravery, & brush with death. To cap an awful day we were pulled over by some really stroppy coppers driving home through London, who were moaning about our back light & bumper being smashed in the crash. I remember Larry exclaiming: " You know I think he was just trying to confuse me, and he did a really good job!"
Rabbler: You've been in charge of the team with Larry for about two and a half seasons now. How do you think this season has gone?
Andy: We seem to have hit our natural level, after over achieving somewhat last year, when we reached the quarter finals of the IFA National Cup, and went on a couple of decent unbeaten spells. Organisationally it's been more difficult this year with players dropping out very late when they'd promised to turn out, & less players being available on a regular basis, which we need to do something to rectify. Though it's not all doom and gloom. We've got some younger players coming through now, who haven't played regularly before, which bodes well for the future. I just wish more Dulwich fans would offer to play, the more the merrier.
Rabbler: We're off to Estonia in July, uncharted territory for us. Why pick there and how much more exotic can future tours get for 'The Rabblers'?
Andy: Estonia came about because I'd been there a few years ago, it's such a nice place, & I'd made some contacts there. So after chatting to Larry it was agreed to try to arrange a game there. That didn't work out with my contacts, but through the internet I found out about the Estonian National Supporters' Team and they agreed to play us. At around the same time I noticed a Worthing fan posting on the Ryman League messageboard under the name 'Esti Rebel' so I sent him an email. Initially it looked like we'd play his team as well, but he stopped replying. I don't know if he moved or what. By bizarre coincidence he also played in the only supporters' game we ever played away to Worthing supporters' when Mishi scored that own goal from a supposed defensive clearance that flew back with the ball getting wedged into one of the stanchions! That was also the game where Matt got on the wrong train at London Bridge, and ended up only going in goal for the last quarter of an hour or so. Maybe Mishi was getting his own back on him for getting the wrong train... As for future tours, well we're even looking to expand beyond Europe, and investigating Morrocco. Damon Green has some contacts at the British Embassy there. And there is even further potential with the possibility of budget flights over to America in the next few years. My dream tours would be to Australia, and also to Madagascar, where I have family roots.
Rabbler: Ah, Madagascar. I believe you have some sporting ambitions there?
Andy: Yes, I've actually, half tongue in cheek, half serious, sent a letter to the Madagascan Football Association offering my services. They are absolute rubbish, though I didn't tell them that, and they might just agree to give me a game or two. They will probably tell me to piss off for being so cheeky, but if nothing else I might just get a nice rejection letter on fancy headed notepaper.
Rabbler: The motto of the Internet Football Association is 'building bridges', but football is no hippy lovefest in reality, so which teams would you pull up the drawbridge on?
Andy: Um...QPR without a doubt. They preach the IFA spirit, but go against it when you play them, & keep on digging out Preston on the IFA email list for not wanting to play them, which is hardly building bridges! Reading, even though we've never actually played them. We tried enough times this season, in trying to get out London Cup group game on, but they kept on pulling out of the dates, as a result we missed out on the chance of qualifying for the semi final stages, by default. Not the end of the world, playing football is the main thing, but it would have been nice to say we made the semi finals. Some might expect me to include the AFC Wimbledon supporters' team here, but actually I think they're a decent bunch.
As for building bridges, that reminds me that we hope to build one over Hadrians Wall sometime towards the end of next season & go on a weekend tour to Scotland to play one or two of their IFA teams. Watch this space as they say!
Rabbler: As a player who can perform both roles what do you actually prefer-keeping goal or being out on pitch?
Andy:Well my 'claw hand' is almost back to normal (Andy got injured, badly hurting one of his fingers, in goal away to West Ham United supporters' earlier this season) so I hope to be able to resume between the sticks next year, but for the Supporters' Team I prefer to be out on pitch. We are 'of a standard' where I can get away with it, generally speaking, so I love it when both myself & Matt are available for the same game.
Rabbler: By its very nature there has been a big turnover of players with the team over the years. Who have been some of the best to turn out, and dare you name the worst?
Andy: Undoubtedly the worst must be Tony 'Knuckles' Mullins, away to Chesham United supporters'. But I wasn't at that game, so that's only relying on hearsay. Then there's Gareth. Whilst he tried hard and gave 100%, he was always funny to watch. I particularly recall him throwing a massive hissy fit aimed at 'drugs test' James, hilarious! But in all seriousness, it would be unfair to pick out some of the worst players. We're not that sort of team, and play for fun, first and foremost.
The best players? Steve Child without a doubt, who went on to play for the Hamlet reserves for a while, only to hang up his boots to concentrate on the whistle, and now he can be seen in the middle of the odd First Team game! Jack McInroy in his youth was exceptional, though I say 'youth' he was in his mid thirties when he first started turning out for us. He must have been a real quality player a decade or so before that. I cannot understand how he never played proper non league football.
Rabbler: Is there anyone else you may have left out, who have clearly played at a higher level?
Andy: I can't believe he slipped my mind! How could I forget Ian Wright? But of course the reason I've done so must be that I've only seen him over the last ten years when he's lost some of his pace, ability and agility. So perhaps I just hadn't recognised how great a player he is. Obviously appeared at a much higher level than the rest of us.
Rabbler: The perceived opinion of our team is that we're quite an eclectic bunch. Or is it nearer the truth to say we're just all plain barmy?
Rabbler: You're not quite normal yourself. Weirdos usually live at home alone with their parents when they're your age. You? I understand you were recently home alone in St. Mary Cray, but now your sister has moved in. What does that make you?
Andy: A landlord! It is separate rooms. Though it does seem like a dream set up for a fake Cornishman like Griff. Talking of which at least I qualify to play for Madagascar. If Cornwall had a national side he wouldn't qualify under FIFA regulations, and he can't trace anyone in his family back there going back to his grandparents.
Rabbler: As a goalkeeper/defender you don't get to score many goals. Are there any that stick in your mind that you're quite proud of?
Andy: Yes, a few. I'm not sure if it was our first or second, in that record 15-2 defeat at the Palace. We were at least 12 0r 13 down at the time. I was up front for some reason for the only time, and stuck it from at least twenty or thirty yards. This season away to Inter Gills, the Gillingham supporters' team. I picked up the ball in the gillingham half, skipped past a couple of tackles, and chipped the keeper with a sublime piece of skill, if I may say so myself, giving him no chance, delicately placed over his head into the top left corner of the net.
Rabbler: Was that, perhaps, from the fact you came from a school with a bit of footballing pedigree?
Andy: I'm proud to be associated with my fellow 'Old Sedgehill-ians' and our famous 'Pink 'n' Blue.' Gavin McGowan, and Kemal Bulent to name but two. But perhaps the most celebrated is old 'big ears' himself Veli Hakki. One of my weirdest moments was when sitting on a 176 bus on the way home to Sydenham, along with a fellow drunken Mishi, whenI realised his name fitted into the song "I'm h-a-p--p-y. I'm h-a-p-p-y, I know I am , I'm sure I am..." & we sang at the top of our voices all the way to Cobbs Corner: "He's H-A-K-K-I, He's H-A-K-K-I..." Trust me it was truly a magical moment, perhaps you had to be there.
And on that note it's time to terminate the interview, as we've got all the way from Northwood, on the Metropolitan Line, to Victoria station. He's off home to his sister at St. Mary Cray, & I'm going to my cuddly toy in my lonely bed in Sydenham!
Hopefully everyone who has made themselves available and been selected will realise what an honour it is to be picked.
No matter what reason, anyone who does not show on the day will still have to pay full tournament subs, and be banned for as many games as determined by Larry & Andy.
If you cannot make it, with decent advance notice, then please phone either of them straight away, so someone else can step in and take your place.
You will often see me at one of our games with a basic, but adequate digital camera in hand.
The only 'slight problem' with this is that I don't own a computer at home, and have no way of loading them up onto the internet. Midway through 2005 I started up a general photoblog, when ex-Hamlet fan BT Jane uploaded them for me. But she had to stop doing this after a while. Since then I've still been taking snaps, but not so many, & Andy Tucker has been saving them onto discs for me. Unfortunately he too can no longer do this for me, so I am resorting to having to take only a few and getting them transferred to a disc down the local photo shop.
Sometime in the not too distant future (hopefully before the end of the year) I hope to have a home computer & will be able to learn how to do this myself. In the meantime I'm hoping Paul Griffin can help me upload some of my football snaps of you onto this blog.
My photoblog ran for about a year, & below there are links to ones I took in the past. I putting them up here because although some of you have viewed them before, you may not have all looked at them.
It might take a while, but this gives you a taster of how I hope this site will eventually evolve.
At an even later stage I hope to learn how to scan in and show you many of the ancient team photos of the team I have, on good old fashioned photos, some of whom I have no idea where they were taken, or who all the players in the line ups are!
Comments welcomed on them all!
The whole idea is the brainchild of the 'Snooze' legendary 'hoss racing' tipster THE SHADOW.
Now it's not for us to 'out' him to his many fans so I won't name him here, but most of us know him as the father of two of our players, and a few of us have even had the honour of meeting the great man in the flesh! He still takes a keen interest in the Hamlet via his paper, & always gives our team 'The Rabblers' a plug when we go on tour. So it was the very least we could do but to add our name to the list of nearly a hundred who have over-subscribed on an unraced two year old, registered as 'Southwark Newsboy'. Such has been the success of the Club, made up in the main of honest working class folk dipping into the sport of kings, that a second nag will be invested in as more people sign up, with the moniker for this one 'Southwark Newsflash'.
I'm not sure which gee-gee we have a little piece of, but it's great to be involved. When one or the other does finally come under starters orders maybe we could organise a Team Day Out to see it race. What do others think?
The only slight downer was that we were included in the full list of members in the current edition of the paper, but they marked us down as 'Dulwich Supporters FC'. Incorrect, we are Dulwich HAMLET Supporters' FC. I know Andy Tucker pointed this out to the editor in a quickly fired off email, and I have also sent off a letter of complaint.
But that's only a minor gripe. Roll on the day when 'The Shadow' tips OUR horse in his column.
Maybe some of our more avid fans of racing can keep an eye on the Southwark horses for us. Over to you Matt Hammond!
which is to be held on Saturday 12th May 2007 at Champion Hill Stadium, the home of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club.
It's an amazing feat to see it come to fruition and we all owe a huge debt to both Lawrence Marsh & Andrew Tucker for organising it.
PSG Belgium, which is the Belgium Branch of the Paris Saint Germain Supporters' Club, & who made us so welcome when we took two sides to play in their five-a-side tournament in May 2006.
And JK Jalgpallihaigla, who are from Estonia; & who will be our hosts when we travel to Tallinn for our summer tour this year in July.
There will be three group games in the competition, each to last one hour, thirty minutes each way.
As I understand it at the moment the first game will kick off at 11.00am; the second at 12.30pm; with the last one of the day at 2.00pm.
This will be followed by the closing ceremony, and then the party will commence in the bar with a karaoke disco for eveyone to enjoy.
As I have further details of the day I will post them on here, but spread the word to all your family and friends to come along and support us.
There's a barbeque on the go at resonable prices, the bar will be open all day, & we will be running a raffle as well.
All contributions to the raffle-the more prizes the better-spirits, wine & chocolates especially welcomed- should be passed on to Mishi Morath. Let him know in advance, or hand them to him on the day.
Keep on looking in for more news of the big day over the next couple of weeks!
Currently in charge of the team is Lawrence Marsh.But his assistant/co-manager (I'm not sure what his actual title is!) is Andrew Tucker.
A few weeks ago he took part in an individual swimathon for charity. The charidee he did it for listed all the times of the participants on their website and it turns out that of the 2560 people who took part all over the United Kingdom Andy's time put him in 2539th position. Which made him the 21st slowest person in the land to do it! Still it's the not the winning, but the taking part as it was all for charity. Of those that were slower than him: 1 was over seventy; 2 over sixty; another 2 not yet 12 years old; & 4 were under nine years of age!
The saddest thing of all is that he worked all this out himself from their website...I get the feeling he would have been proud to have come last and emulated Eric the Eel!


Zinc involvement in opioid addiction and analgesia – should zinc supplementation be recommended for opioid-treated persons?
Zinc chelators were shown to facilitate some opioid-withdrawal signs in animals. Zinc deficiency, which affects more than 15 % the world’s population, is also common among opioid consumers and opioid-treated animals exhibit misbalances of zinc distribution.
The present study focuses on how zinc ions interfere with opioid dependence/addiction and analgesia, trying to preliminary discuss if zinc supplementation in opioid-users should be recommended in order to reduce the risk of addiction.
All relevant literature was searched up to April 2015. The search was performed using the term “zinc” plus combinations of following terms: “opioid receptors”, “opioid” or representatives of this class, “addiction”, “dependence”, “analgesia”, and “pain”. Human, animal, in vitro studies and reviews were including.
Both human and animal studies revealed decreased serum zinc under opioid-administration conditions, attributed mainly to increased urinary elimination (humans) or redistribution (animals). Moreover, animal studies revealed decreased brain zinc levels in morphine-treated animals, with increased zinc hepatic levels, but also an enhancement of endogenous opioid system activity and a possible reduction of morphine withdrawal by zinc. In vitro studies revealed reduction of opioid ligands binding to receptors by zinc. However, the very few in vivo animal studies on opioid analgesia revealed controversial results, as zinc demonstrated clear analgesic effect, but zinc associated to opioids doesn’t result in a potentiation of the analgesic effect.
Zinc dietary supplementation in patients treated with opioids for cancer-related chronic pain should be considered, due to the high incidence of zinc deficiency, also well-documented in opioid consumers. The low toxicity of orally-administered zinc also pleads for this idea. The main contra-argument to zinc administration in opioid-treated persons is related to the way zinc influences opioid-induced analgesia.
Zinc, the second most abundant trace element in the human body (after iron) , plays mainly catalytic and structural roles ; as a co-factor of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, it is important for the anti-oxidant defence . Zinc finger proteins acting as transcription factors regulate gene expression . Within the central nervous system (CNS), zinc acts at the post-synapse level and influences synaptic plasticity, hormone release, and nerve impulse transmission [5–7], regulates post-synaptic proteins  and has important roles in the formation and maintenance of the structure of the post-synaptic density, a proteins network connecting the neurotransmitter receptors to the intracellular signalling system and to the cytoskeleton [9, 10].
The brain is one of the organs with high Zn2+ concentration, as it contains approximately 1.5 % of the estimated 2 to 3 g of zinc in the human body. Brain-zinc is non-uniformly distributed: the olfactory bulb has the highest level, followed by the frontal and parietal cortices, the striatum and the hippocampus; the lowest levels are in the medulla and thoracic spinal cord . In the hippocampus, Zn2+ concentrations can reach up to 0.3 mM in the mossy fiber boutons of neurons extending from the dentate gyrus to neurons in the hilar and CA3 fields . Distribution vary with the age: in rats, at birth, cerebellum has the highest zinc level; within time, the hippocampus and the cortex levels increase [13, 14]. Neuronal Zn2+ is either bound to various proteins (over 90 %, with structural or catalytic roles and roles in transcription factors and related proteins) or free (mainly localized within the vesicles of zinc-dependent glutamatergic neurons) .
Severe deficiency is rare, but mild to moderate zinc deficiency is widespread. Zinc deficiency affects more than 15 % of world population and the prevalence of inadequate intake varies from 7.5 % in high-income regions to 30 % in South Asia [16, 17]. Zinc intake is lower than recommended in more than 75 % of pregnant women . Zinc is a type 2 essential nutrient , as deficiency symptoms are rather nonspecific; response to repletion occurs very fast . Deficiency determines growth retardation, male hypogonadism, delayed wound healing and cell-mediated immune dysfunction . Reduced zinc is also associated with DNA damage, increased inflammatory status [22, 23] and represents a predisposing factor for malignant tumours development . Some deficiency-associated conditions are partially explained considering zinc’s role as a co-factor of enzymatic systems involved in nucleic acids replication, protein synthesis, and anti-oxidant defence. Disorders mainly related with CNS impaired function (behavioural changes, depression, emotional instability, anxiety, aggresivity, irritability, socializing deficits, impaired memory and learning, neurosensory alterations, anorexia etc.) are frequently associated with zinc deficiency in both humans and animal models [25, 26]. It is debatable, at least in case of some of these conditions, if decreased zinc is a consequence or a cause. Low zinc levels have been reported in autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity, schizophrenia, and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 , underlining its importance in brain functioning. Under moderate zinc deficient diet in rats, brain zinc is maintained within normal limits, due to increased uptake , following transporters adaptation: the expressions of metallothionein-I and ZnT-1 are decreased, and that of LIV-1 is increased ; even so, subclinical deficiency affects human brain function .
Zinc salts are relatively nontoxic, particularly if taken orally. Symptoms including nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, lethargy, and fatigue appear ‘at extremely high intakes (almost 100 folds above the recommended dietary allowance – 15 mg elemental zinc daily). Doses of 100-300 mg zinc daily, which are high above recommended, determine induced copper deficiency, anaemia and neutropenia, immune dysfunction and increased low-density vs. high density lipoproteins ratio [31–33]. Zinc toxicity is also manifest at the CNS level, where zinc has an additional role in the death of seizures-damaged neurons . In Alzheimer’s disease, zinc has been shown to facilitate beta-amyloid aggregation . In Parkinson disease, excessive hair zinc levels  and increased zinc exposure  are reported, but serum zinc is decreased ; substantia nigra zinc levels were found to gradually increase in rat model of parkinsonism .
A study of Larson et al., , evidenced increased withdrawal jumpings, but with no influence on acute dependence in conditions of zinc-chelator administration in mice. This is in accordance with preliminary data of ours showing a reduction of morphine dependence in rats by zinc chloride (ZnCl2) (dose-dependent) . A possible reasonable, yet partial explanation for these results can be given considering zinc ions effect of reducing μ-opioid agonists’ binding to receptors [42, 43].
Taking into consideration zinc ability to reduce morphine-dependence intensity and the enhancement of withdrawal manifestations by zinc-chelators, we have formulated the hypothesis that zinc supplementation may reduce the risk of addiction in cancer-patients treated with opioids for chronic pain. The idea is reinforced by the low levels of zinc evidenced in opioid users [44–47] and the low toxicity of zinc is also in favour of this. The main contra-augment is that zinc, in spite of having well-documented analgesic action [48–54], may reduce the opioid analgesic efficacy, due to affecting binding affinity to receptors.
In this context, the present study aims to document, on the basis of the existent literature, the effect of zinc and zinc misbalances on opioid addiction, dependence and analgesia, trying to evidence and discuss if zinc supplementation in opioid users may be (or not) beneficial, in order to reduce the risk and/or the severity of addiction.
All relevant literature (Scopus, Medline, and ProQuest databases) was searched up to May 2015. The search was performed using the term “zinc” plus combinations of following terms: “opioid receptors”, opioid or representatives of this class, “addiction”, “analgesia”, “algesia” and “pain”.
4. the influence of zinc ions or zinc deficiency on human and animal pain perception under opioid-free and opioid administration conditions.
Notes to the editors or comments were not considered. Search-retrieved articles which did not contain information on the mentioned issues were not considered.
Results of the initially-retrieved articles suggested some further searching strategies, which were applied to collect more relevant information. Some other relevant findings retrieved by initial searches are also presented when considered relevant, even though provided data do not perfectly fit initially-searched information. At each results sub-chapter, such things are being detailed.
Information on zinc-containing transcription factors, zinc-containing enzymes or zinc-finger proteins involvement on the addictive process or opioids mechanism of action was not considered.
Zinc ions and zinc deficiency influence on neurotransmitters important for development and maintenance of the addictive process (such as dopamine, glutamate etc.) or other mechanisms involved in drug addiction are not included, giving the complexity of such a topic and the difficulty of data interpretation.
The initial search-results provided the below-mentioned number of articles: 1. zinc + opioid: 133 articles; 2. zinc + opioid + receptor: 57 articles; 3. zinc + pain: 531 articles; 4. zinc + analgesia: 28 articles; 5. zinc + algesia: 34 articles; 6. zinc + addiction + opioid: 6 articles; 7. zinc + dependence + opioid: 7 articles.
Upon consulting the retrieved articles, only few of the retrieved search results were found to contain the information. Some of the articles were retrieved following at least two of the search terms combinations.
Results of the initially-retrieved articles suggested some further searching strategies, which were applied to collect more relevant information (for instances, we have used the names of the substances belonging to opioids class).
When considered relevant for the topic, additional information from the displayed articles is also presented at the results section. For instance, information about copper (a metallic trace elements to which zinc manifest a certain degree of biological antagonism) and metallothioneins (a family of cysteine-rich proteins strongly involved in both zinc and copper metabolism ) levels following opioids administration are also presented, as well as the data on trace elements content of different opioid preparations. The number of articles considered relevant is summarised at the beginning of each sub-chapter.
There are many humans studies reporting low zinc levels due to alcohol consumption [56–61]; studies about zinc levels in case of nicotine addiction or smokers are scarce and reveal non-concordant data [62–65]. There are no studies on microelements status in case of psychostimulants or cannabis administration in particular.
Upon refining the articles retrieved by the initial searches, we have found five studies which evaluated zinc status in persons consuming opioids (controlled-users or meeting diagnosis for opioid addiction), all stating either reduced zinc levels or increased elimination of zinc. Results present the concentration of zinc status in different body fluids (serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid), before, during and after the treatment (immediately, long-term after), but not zinc level in different organs. The main findings and their relevance to the evaluated topic are presented and commented below. Additional data considered relevant (such as copper status and information regarding zinc presence in opioid preparation) are also revealed in the below paragraphs.
Low zinc serum concentrations were reported in heroin consumers upon admission for treatment, with a slight tendency to increase during detoxification, yet not reaching the levels in controls . In patients diagnosed with heroin addiction, zinc deficit appears to be correlated with the abuse period in case of heroin addiction  and low zinc plasma is accompanied by low intraerythrocytic zinc and by increased plasma and intraerythrocytic copper . In case drug-free patients with heroin-addiction documented in the past, zinc concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of is lower than in controls, but generally within normal limits . It is worth mentioning that the heroin samples on the illegal market, when analysed for the various metals contents, were shown to present variable amounts of zinc, but these traces have little contribution to product’s toxicity and to the trace elements intake [66, 67] and they probably appear from the metallic container used in the processing/cutting stage . During methadone detoxification treatment for opioid addiction, zinc elimination is strongly increased, while copper elimination is slightly, but significantly decreased .
One of the problems with human studies is that not all of them consider the type of opioid drug, or the possible association with other consumed drugs or co-existent pathology; also, most of them fail to evidence the correspondences between abuse period, addiction severity and decreased zinc status and only one study  states that there is an association between the period of heroin consumption and the severity of zinc deficit. One of the studies makes little separation between heroin users and patients with mixed addiction (heroin + other drugs of abuse) .
Another problem is that these studies do not evidence if zinc deficiency is an effect of drug-taking or an associated condition in opioid-users. Feeding habits are not being considered, while malnutrition is common among people consuming drugs of abuse or alcohol , especially in women . Malnutrition partially explains reduced zinc levels in case ethanol-consumption [58, 59]. Decreased CSF zinc in drug-sober former heroin users (even if concentration is generally within normal limits)  pleads that zinc deficiency in opioid users is rather a consequence of the alimentation habits, but evidences of increased urinary zinc elimination in patients taking methadone  as substitution therapy suggests that opioid-administration also has a specific role in this. Clinical studies should be interpreted taken into consideration the association between decreased appetite and decreased zinc. Malnutrition can be regarded as a cause of zinc deficiency, but, on the other hand, low level of zinc represents a cause of the lack of appetite, as documented by animals studies presented below [72, 73].
Between zinc and copper there is a certain degree of antagonism at the level of biological actions ; it appears that zinc deficiency has better conditions to more evidently manifest in opioid consumers, as decreased zinc is accompanied by increased serum and intraerythrocytic copper in heroin users  and given that copper urinary elimination is decreased under methadone maintenance treatment .
We have found four relevant researches on the influence determined by opiods administration on zinc status or metallothioneins levels in animals. Two of them refer to zinc levels following morphine administration in rodents; one of them considers mainly zinc and metallothioneins liver level and the nature of its mediation, the other considers zinc levels in several organs and serum zinc concentration. Some aspects regarding metallothionein levels following morphine administration (presented by one of the two mentioned articles and by another article from those displayed by the initial search) was considered relevant for our topic. The forth study that we have included takes into consideration the influence of a δ-opioid receptor’s specific agonist on zinc levels of different brain regions. Main findings are exposed below, and briefly commented.
Morphine decreases serum zinc and increases liver citosolic zinc and metallothionein levels in rats. While morphine’s effect on liver metallothionein level appears to be mediated mainly by morphine’s action at receptors level (being antagonized by naloxone), liver zinc accumulation does not recognize this mechanism, as naloxone does not alter it; glucocorticosteroids and β-adrenergic mediation seem to be at least partially responsible for morphine effect of increasing zinc liver levels, as their blockade (with RU486 and respectively labetalol) diminishes it .
Interestingly, in a study investigating the effect of escalating doses of morphine in mice, increased zinc serum concentration and decreased liver zinc level were found; the brain zinc level was found decreased, as well as lungs and kidneys zinc levels, while spleen, heart and muscles zinc levels were found increased .
δ-opioid receptor’s agonist also decrease brain zinc level: (D-Pen2, D-Pen5)enkephalin (δ agonist) intracerebroventricular administration decreases parietal cortex, hippocampus and striatum Zn2+ contents. The effect is time- and dose-dependent and it is antagonized by naloxone pre-treatment .
Animal studies evidenced decreased brain zinc levels under opioid-administration conditions, which is difficult to document in case of humans (human studies only considered CSF, where zinc was found decreased in sober patients previously diagnosed with heroin-addiction ) and showed that one possible cause for zinc deficiency under opioid-administrating conditions is its re-distribution, mainly to the liver .
Table 1 summarizes the results of both human and animal studies.
A very important component of zinc actions on mechanisms involved in drugs addiction takes place at the level of the opioid receptors. There are four studies reporting the inhibition of both agonists (endogenous and exogenous) and antagonist’s affinity to opioid receptors and two studies proving the increase of naloxone binding to opioid receptors in conditions of zinc-deficiency (chelators-use or following zinc-deficient diet). Additional information regarding possible interactions between zinc or zinc deficiency and the affinity of opioids to the non-opioid specific σ-receptors is revealed by other two studies. Table 2 summarizes the results.
Physiologic zinc concentration inhibits the binding of specific agonists to μ-receptors; δ and κ receptors were relatively insensitive to this type of inhibition . However, micromolar zinc concentrations inhibit the binding of enkephalin (specific δ-agonist) to receptors  and zinc ions determine a total blockade of the stereospecific δ-agonist 3H-met-enkephalinamide (2-D-ala-5-L-methionine) receptor-binding in synaptic hippocampus, cerebral cortex and basal ganglia membranes in rats, at in vitro concentrations compatible with endogenous zinc level in the mentioned structures. One more research  proves the inhibition determined by zinc ions on ligand-binding to μ-receptors and determines the aminoacids in the receptor’s structure which are responsible for it. This δ-agonists binding inhibition involves a decrease in both receptor affinity and the number of binding sites  and is due to the interaction of zinc with essential SH-groups in the opiate receptor structure. From the mentioned brain sites, it is especially the hippocampus which has high zinc content, almost exclusively localized in the giant boutons of the mossy fibers .
The σ-receptors were considered opioid receptors, but pharmacological tests showed that they are activated by drugs (such as phencyclidine or haloperidol) completely unrelated to the opioids and σ1 receptor has no structural similarity to the opioid receptors . However, many opioids act as σ-agonists, pentazocine being one of the most potent σ-receptors ligands . Stimulation of the zinc-containing mossy fibers in the hilar hippocampus region decreases the specific binding of (+)-[3H]pentazocine to σ-sites, unaffected by metallothionein peptide 1 (a specific zinc chelator), suggesting that zinc deficit has little effect on signalling through this receptor type . However, increasing the free zinc ions concentration is an essential stage of the opioid-signalling inhibition via σ1-receptors and μ-receptors interaction, as shown by very recent findings .
Zinc ions inhibit the specific binding of [3H]naloxone (μ-receptors antagonist) to receptors in the rats hippocampus, cortex, midbrain and striatum (dose-dependent manner). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) is close to 30 μM, similar to the physiological zinc concentration in to extracellular brain environment. Inhibition is due to a decrease in receptor affinity, the number of binding sites being un-affected and it is reverted by histidine, which most probably acts as a chelator, as histidine alone has no effect on receptor affinity or the binding sites number . This is in accordance with the proof that the [3H]-naloxone (1nM) binding to isolated brain membranes is increased in zinc deficient animals compared to ad libitum fed controls, while the weight restricted animals exhibit intermediate values .
We have found just three relevant animal studies (and no relevant human studies) on zinc ions and zinc deficiency effect on the activity degree of endogenous opioid system. If there are clear, concordant data revealed by in vitro studies indicating the reductions of opioid binding to receptors by zinc, there are studies revealing that zinc determines important increases in the degree of activity of endogenous opioid system, while zinc deficiency determines opposite effects.
Acute third ventricle administration of zinc in minute amounts (3 to 300 pmol) induces a dose-dependent antidipsogenic action in dehydrated rats, which is almost complete at the highest dose. The effect is reversed by naloxone, indicating that it is at least partially due to stimulation of central opioid peptides .
Zinc deficient animals have reduced dynorphin (a leucine-enkephalin-containing opiate peptide and a potent inducer of spontaneous feeding) levels in the hypothalamus compared to ad libidum-fed animals, while weight-restricted animals exhibit intermediate values. Zinc-deficient animals are also relatively resistant to dynorphin-induced feeding. This suggests that zinc deficiency-induced anorexia is mediated by appetite deregulations of the endogenous opiate system, which appear to include alterations in receptor affinity, a post-receptor defect and alterations in the dynorphin synthesis and/or release . Zinc ions inhibit pro-opiomelanocortin neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (vital anorexigenic neurons) . Although this fact represents a further proof of zinc-deficiency induced anorexia and its opioid-mediated origin, it seems reasonable to consider it slightly in disagreement with the above-discussed two studies (pro-opiomelanocortin is the precursor of the main endogenous opioids, and if pro-opiomelanocortin neurons are inhibited by zinc, it can be inferred that zinc reduces the level of brain-acting opioids; the article did not evaluate the level of extracellular opioids following zinc administration).
This proof of zinc deficiency-induced dysfunction of opioidergic system, together with the fact that zinc deficiency is common among opioid consumers, may constitute a supplementary explanation for a downward spiral: addiction and malnutrition are frequently associated; both of them are associated with zinc deficiency, which further contributes to anorexia, by reducing response to dynorphine-determined feeding.
To our knowledge, there are no studies regarding zinc ions actions and zinc deficit effects on human opioid addiction or related conditions (tolerance, psychological dependence, craving etc.). There are, however, two animal studies focusing on zinc salts or zinc ions deficit on morphine dependence in rodents. Preliminary data of ours evidenced a reduction of morphine-induced dependence in rats by administration of ZnCl2, 0.1 and 0.05 mM/kg/day (intraperitonal), during the 10 days of morphine-dependence induction phase. The effect is dose-dependent and we consider that it can mainly be explained by reduced affinity of morphine to specific receptors in conditions of zinc excess. Morphine dependence intensity was evaluated by assessment of the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal . Our results are in agreement with the study of Larson et al., , evidencing increased withdrawal jumpings (but with no influence on acute dependence) in conditions of zinc-chelator administration in mice.
Human studies about zinc influence on pain perception are rarely available or inconsistent. There are some data indicating the association between different forms of chronic pain and zinc deficiency, and a possible beneficial role of zinc supplementation in such cases, but overall, there is no uncountable prove of the analgesic effect of zinc in case of doses regularly used for oral supplementation. We have selected eight studies considered to have certain relevance to our topic and below we briefly present the data.
A clinical study revealed the association between low plasma zinc and tongue pain, a type of neuropathic pain . Zinc levels in patients with trichodynia, a condition associating pain and a stinging sensation of the scalp related to diffuse alopecia, are not different compared to controls . Zinc sulfate oral administration has better effects than placebo in alleviating dysmenorrhea  and reduces, up to total suppression, the muscle pain cramps in cirrhotic patients with hypozincemia . The beneficial effect of a dietary supplement containing lycopene, epigallocatechin gallate, ellagic acid, selenium and zinc on chronic pelvic pain syndrome  and the reduction of chronic low back pain symptoms by alkaline minerals supplementation  were evidenced, but there is no proof of the specific role of zinc in neither of these. Zinc supplementation was thought to contribute to the prevention of sickle cell anaemia pain crisis, but it has not been scientifically proven [92, 93].
In brief, the results of the mentioned eight studies can be summaries as it follows: two of them claim the beneficial role of zinc administration in different forms of chronic pain [89, 90], two others claim that dietary supplements containing zinc (among others) alleviate certain forms of pain, but the particular role of zinc is not proven [91, 92]. One study reports low levels of zinc in a form of neuropathic pain , while another study reports that zinc levels is no different compared to control in another type of chronic pain ; two studies discuss the opportunity of zinc supplementation in sickle cell anaemia, but there is no clear proof of the role of zinc administration in preventing painful crisis specific to this disease [93, 94].
Animal studies demonstrating the analgesic effects of non-toxic zinc doses are numerous and consistent; most of were performed in opioid-free animals. We have found six studies presenting zinc ions and/or zinc chelators effects on animal pain models in opioid-free conditions-only, five articles presenting zinc ions or zinc chelators effects on opioid-induced analgesia and one study evaluating the effect of zinc on pain under both opioid-free and opioid administrating conditions.
One of the first evidences of the analgesic effects of zinc derives from the 1997 study on mice of Larson and Kitto , demonstrating a dose-dependent effect of intrathecal ZnCl2 in reducing the abdominal stretches and a strong effect of ZnCl2 (10 ng, intrathecal) in reducing capsaicin-induced biting and scratching behaviour (maximal after 90 min), but lack of effect on tail-flick latencies. Di-sodium calcium ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (Na+Ca2+ EDTA) reduce ZnCl2 effect on writhing assay, and both Na+Ca2+ EDTA and dipicolinic acid (divalent cations chelators, the latter with greater selectivity for zinc) induce hyperalgesia in tail-flick assay, which is antagonized by zinc in a dose dependent manner in case of Na+Ca2+ EDTA.
Further studies of the same researchers (1999) indicated only a modest inhibition of writhing following intrathecal injection of high doses of zinc 24-h before writhing-induction, suggesting that, although zinc is necessary, but it may not be sufficient to induce a long-term antinociception. However, intrathecal co-administration of Na+Ca2+ EDTA (10-100 nmol) or dipicolinic acid (1 nmol) inhibited the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal capsaicine (2.8 nmol) or SP(1–7) (substance P) (10 nmol). None of the chelators alone influenced the writhing test in capsaicine- and SP(1–7)-free animals .
More evidences come from Liu et al., , revealing that intrathecal, intraplantar or systemic injection of ZnCl2 relieved thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner in rats with sciatic nerve injury, while it has no influence on thermal nociception in the absence of nerve injury. Higher doses are required for intraperitoneal injections than for intrathecal or intraplantar injections .
The 2011 study of Matsunami M. et al. showed that the visceral nociceptive behaviour and abdominal allodynia/hyperalgesia caused by intracolonic sodium hydrosulfide in mice are abolished by intracolonic preadministration of ZnCl2 and reproduced by Zn2+ chelators. The effect of zinc in modulating this form of visceral pain is believed to be related to selective inhibition of T-type Ca2+ channels .
A very complex study of Nozaki et al. , revealed sustained zinc analgesia in different mice models of pain. Tail-flick latencies are increased following ZnCl2 intrathecal (0.2nM) and subcutaneous (0.1-1 mg/kg) administration, the effect being maximal at 90 min. In a model of inflammatory pain, ZnCl2 (0.2nM, intrathecal and 1 mg/kg, subcutaneous) determined strong antinociceptive effects, in both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. ZnCl2 (0.2nM, intrathecal and 0.1-1 mg/kg, subcutaneous) determined antinociceptive effects in a model of neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve ligation. It was demonstrated that zinc-induced analgesia is dependent on high-affinity binding of zinc to the NMDA receptor NR2A subunit, as it was completely abolished in NR2A-H128S knock-in mice, where zinc inhibition of NMDA currents was lost in the hippocampus and spinal cord under both acute and chronic pain conditions . The study represents the first consistent evidence for the mechanism of zinc-determined analgesia, a well and long-time evidenced phenomena, which was previously believed to be related to zinc ability to stabilize primary afferent C-fibers.
Both zinc sulfate (0.5 and 2 mg/kg) and zinc citrate (0.125 and 0.5 mg/kg) (intraperitoneal) induced pain suppression in hot-plate and tail-flick tests (up to 17 %) and capsaicin writhing test (up to 25 %) in Swiss mice .
Hot plate assay show the analgesic effect of zinc oxide – conventional formulation (cZnO), 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, maximal at 90 min after administration. Zinc oxide – nanoparticals formulation (nZnO) determined higher analgesic effects compared to the conventional one, pain suppression of the modern formulation being evident at smaller doses and exhibiting a lower latency . The acute analgesic effect of both zinc oxide formulations is antagonized by naloxone, revealing the role of endogenous opioids in zinc-analgesia.
Apart from the direct-acting mechanism of zinc as a pain-reliever, its anti-inflammatory effect, correlated with the pro-inflammatory status determined by zinc-deficiency , should also be taken into account.
If there are uncountable proofs of the analgesic effect determined by zinc ions, in case of the association of zinc with analgesic opioids, most of the results seem at least controversial. The relevant retrieved search results on the interaction between zinc and analgesic opioids on pain perception are presented below.
The first study revealing zinc interaction with opioid analgesic effect states that Zn2+ administered intrathecally inhibited morphine antinociception in a dose-related fashion, but it also inhibited the development of acute tolerance to morphine antinociception (5 h after 100 mg/kg of morphine). However, intrathecal injection of Na+Ca2+ EDTA, a chelator of divalent cations, had no effect on analgesia and acute tolerance .
A more recent study proves that the acute analgesic effect (hot-plate assay) of morphine, 6 mg/kg (intraperitoneal) is increased by ZnO nanoparticals (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, co-administered with morphine), but it is not influenced by the classical ZnO formulation (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) . The acute analgesic effects of 5 mg/kg nZnO and of 10 mg/kg cZnO (intraperitoneal) are antagonized by naloxone, 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal co-administration, when evaluated 60 min after co-administration .
Preliminary own studies show that ZnCl2 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal, 10 days, during morphine-dependence induction) does not alter the acute effect of a high morphine dose in tolerant rats .
Coordination compounds of methenkephalin with transition metals (copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc) were shown to be superior to morphine by the analgesic activity and to morphine and methenkephalin by the duration of the analgesic effect .
Zinc deficiency tends to lower morphine-analgesic potency in mice .
A very recent study shows the enhancement of tramadol analgesic effects evaluated by tail-flick and hot-plate assay by intraperitoneal zinc administration (increase of approximately 30 % in the average pain inhibition compared with tramadol-alone at the most effective dose, which was 75 mg/kg b.w. zinc) in Swiss Weber male mice .
We found only two experiments focusing on the effects of zinc ions or zinc deficit on opioid dependence and results are accordant: zinc reduces dependence intensity when administered during dependence induction phase, while zinc chelators increase withdrawal manifestations (jumpings). Both these experiments used morphine and evaluated the intensity of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal [40, 41]. To our knowledge, there are no clinical studies regarding zinc influence on any type of substance-addiction or other addiction-types.
One shortcoming of the mentioned studies (on rats and mice) in terms of predictability for human aspects of addiction is that they did not use self-administration models: the doses of morphine used for dependence induction and the moment of their administration was established by the experimenter, and this represents a considerable difference compared to the characteristics of addiction in humans, where drug-taking habits have a strong determination by social conditions. Animal models of drugs self-administration are more predictive to human patterns of drug-taking compared to dependence animal-models where the drug administration is performed by external factors (such as the experimenter) . Even more, the predictability of such animal experimental studies to humans is questionable, in the context of our hypothesis, especially as zinc was given by intraperitoneal injection in rats , whereas zinc salts as dietary supplements in humans are administered orally.
Most probably, the result of cited researches [40, 41] can be, at least partially, be put in relation with zinc ions property of decreasing morphine-binding to receptors, as revealed by in vitro studies. There are no specific data showing decreased morphine receptors-binding by zinc ions, but decreased binding of a μ-specific agonist by zinc was demonstrated  and other in vitro studies [43, 78, 79] showed reduced opioids-binding (both agonists and antagonist) to receptors by zinc, evident even at physiological concentration. The μ-receptors type is particularly susceptible to this inhibition type, but in case of δ-receptors, the number of binding sites is also decreased, while the affinity of opioids such as pentazocine to the non-opioid receptor σ is un-affected by zinc deficit . The μ-type of opioid receptors-mediated effects has the most important contribution to addiction development . Apparently in disagreement with the effect of zinc of lowering opioids biological effects by decreasing their binding affinity to receptors (evidenced by in vitro studies) are the evidences from animal experiments showing a positive correlation between the activity of endogenous opioids system and zinc levels [72, 86].
The results of the mentioned animal studies showing reduced morphine withdrawal in zinc-administrating conditions and withdrawal enhancement by zinc chelators [40, 41] suggest that a possible beneficial role of zinc supplementation in humans taking opioid treatment for chronic pain in reducing the risk of addiction development or the severity of addiction and tolerance is worth testing. Indeed, the risk of developing addiction in these patients is low (below 10 %) , but tolerance to opioids represents an important problem.
The idea of zinc supplementation in patients with malignant tumours taking opioids for pain suppression is reinforced by human studies documenting reduced zinc levels in opioid-users [44–47, 69]. In these patients, zinc deficit and its consequences as an additional strain to disease or to its associated conditions, can easily be avoided if discovered on time. However, low levels of zinc are mainly documented for the persons where controlled-use (as recreational drugs of abuse) has turned to addiction, and not for patients treated with opioids for chronic pain or other medical purposes. Most of the above-mentioned studies focused only on microelements homeostasis, but not on the feeding-habits. Opioids are known to induce side effects on the gastrointestinal tract, such as constipation, anorexia, vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux, abdominal pain  which may explain the tendency to malnutrition in opioid-users. One study assessing the changes in nutritional habits of opiates dependent persons during of methadone maintenance treatment revealed that, before enrolling in the treatment, the intake of calcium and magnesium was low, whereas low zinc intake was seen only in the women group; after four years of treatment, low zinc intake was noticed only in the men group. Several minerals and vitamins (such as iron, vitamins B1, B2, C, niacin) low-intake levels were revealed both before and after treatment, but there are significant differences between genders . Apart from the human studies showing the association between decreased zinc levels and opioid-consumption, there are animal studies evidencing reduced brain zinc level following opioid administration , while data regarding zinc serum in opioids-treated animals are controversial [75, 77]. So, it is not well-established if opioids induce zinc deficiency or just altered distribution, as, on the other hand, there are also evidences that mild zinc deficiency is not accompanied by reduced brain zinc in rodents, as adaptation of the transporters favours the brain uptake of zinc ions [28, 29].
Zinc deficiency, associated to the depletion of other essential nutrients, including minerals and vitamins, can be considered a consequence of malnutrition. Both cancer and pain are conditions associated with the tendency to deficient feeding [104, 105]. On the other hand, reduced zinc level was proven to determine impaired-feeding in animal models [72, 73], while in humans, zinc administration alone (50 mg elemental zinc/day) is believed to have a role in alleviating feeding-habits in anorexia nervosa, by decreasing the level of depression and anxiety . Reduced zinc also affects taste perception .
When discussing the opportunity of zinc administration in cancer patients, it should not be disregarded that zinc deficiency represents a predisposing factor for malignant tumours development, as zinc depletion increases the inflammatory status, impairs the immune system functioning, antioxidant defence, and affects the DNA structure . Zinc deficit is common among cancer patients, which are also more prone to develop infections. So, zinc has a beneficial role in infections prevention by stimulating the immune system . In case of cancer therapy, side effects of antitumor drugs (such as vomiting, diarrhoea) represent further factors which can favour nutrients deficit.
Moreover, decreased zinc has a certain influence on other mechanisms involved in the addiction downward spiral, as it is associated with depression-like symptoms and anxiety in both humans and animal models [26, 27], which are known to induce drug-taking behaviour . Animals studies showed reduced endogenous opioidergic system activity following zinc depletion [72, 85]. Normalizing zinc level in zinc-deficient patients taking opioids for chronic pain could have a contribution to the reduction of the drug-seeking behaviour and of the self-administered opioid doses by attenuating depressive symptoms and enhancing endogenous opioidergic system activity, which may lower the craving.
So, as suggested by animal studies, we have hypothesised in the current review that zinc administration as dietary supplement may reduce the risk of developing dependence in patients with cancer treated with opiates for chronic pain. Apart from the assumption above, in the previous paragraphs, further possible benefits of zinc supplementation in such persons are discussed. To summarize, increasing zinc intake in these patients not only corrects a metabolic misbalance commonly encountered in both cancer and opioid-use (which is most likely not just a consequence of feeding-habits), but it may also improve conditions such as tendency to malnutrition, depressive-symptoms, anxiety, susceptibility to DNA-damage and infections. Other clinical signs and symptoms which would be alleviated by repletion (to which response is believed to appear fast ) might include: skin lesions, impaired night vision, altered smell and taste perception, growth retardation, male hypogonadism, impaired wound healing, increased inflammatory status [21–26].
Zinc low toxicity represents one more fact pleading for zinc supplementation in opioid-users [31–33]: when taken orally, even doses tens of times higher than recommended daily allowance determine only non-severe manifestations, mainly digestive.
If in vitro study evidences that zinc inhibition of opioid-agonists binding to receptors could explain, at least in part, reduced opioid dependence under zinc-administration conditions and withdrawal potentiating by zinc-chelators in rodents, the same evidences also raise the problem of decreased opioid analgesia potency under zinc-administrating conditions. Therefore, if zinc co-administration with opioids would decrease the risk and the severity of dependence/addiction development versus opioid-only administration, than this might come with the price of zinc lowering the analgesic effect of opioids. In humans, opioid doses used for pain suppression are self-regulated, and if zinc reduces opioid action at receptor level, it seems logical to consider that opioid potency is also affected, which may lead to increasing opioid administered doses. So, the chance to reduce addiction intensity or susceptibility to addiction becomes debatable. On the other hand, dependence is mainly mediated by μ-receptors , while in analgesia δ and κ-opioid receptors are also involved, but ligands affinity to δ and κ receptors is less affected by zinc inhibition, as shown in vitro .
In order to have an idea of the extent to which zinc might affect opioid-analgesia, the medical literature was searched to document the effect of zinc on pain perception in opioid-free and opioid-administrating conditions. The search revealed scarce data derived from the human studies. On the other hand, in animals, zinc formulations determine, at non-toxic systemic or local doses, indubitable analgesic effects in different models of pain: acute visceral, mechanical and thermal pain, under regular, inflammatory and neuropathic conditions [48–54]. Zinc effects on chronic pain animal models are less studied. It is, however, questionable if zinc analgesic effect can be additive to opioid-induced pain-suppression. In animal models, potentiation of morphine antinociception by zinc was evidenced in the case of a nano-particals ZnO formulation, but classical formulation does not modify morphine antinociception , while systemic zinc administration enhances tramadol-induced analgesia . Our study showed that ZnCl2 administration during dependence-development does not alter morphine analgesia in tolerant rats , but others proved the inhibition of acute morphine antinociception by intrathecal zinc, however accompanied by tolerance inhibition . Another study claims that zinc deficiency decreases opioid-analgesia in mice . To our knowledge, in humans, the effect of zinc on opioid-analgesia (either in non-dependence, tolerance or addictive condition) has not been studied. Zinc supplementation influence on the analgesic effect of an acute opiate dose in dependent/tolerant individuals therefore becomes therefore very difficult to predict. Further clinical studies are needed, as tolerance to opioid is common in patients treated with such substances, especially the tolerance to analgesia . If indeed, there are several data pleading in the favour of our hypothesis regarding the opportunity of zinc supplementation in persons treated with opioid for chronic pain suppression (such as zinc low toxicity, reduced zinc levels following opioid use, depressive symptoms associated with zinc deficiency, zinc lowering morphine dependence documented in rats), the problem of zinc interferences with opioid analgesia remains controversial and seems to represent the main contra-argument to the hypothesis. In case of animal studies, the inhibition of acute tolerance to morphine analgesia by zinc  was proven in mice, but it is accompanied by analgesia inhibition. The very few studies on how zinc affects opioid analgesia in opioid-dependent animals have not considered self-administration models [40, 96], but dependence models where administration is performed by the experimenter, whereas in humans, analgesic opioid doses and the moment of their administration are supposed to be self-controlled. Another problem is the lack of correspondence between doses used in acute pain animal models, where zinc is administered parenteral, and zinc levels reached at action site in case of oral supplementation.
We suggest a controlled clinical trial comparing the evolution of opioid doses needed for pain-relief in cancer patients cohorts with adequate nutrition versus adequate nutrition associated with zinc supplementation. It is mandatory to have a survey on the nutrition, associated drug-therapy, and environmental conditions in case of patient groups, as all these can determine the lack or excess of essential nutrients (including vitamins, minerals, aminoacids etc.) and as there is a dynamic cooperation and complex interaction and between these nutrients.
We speculate that zinc supplementation would most probably be beneficial for patients with cancer taking opioids for pain therapy, where dependence is less likely to develop, rather than for people taking them in recreational purposes, where psychological addiction is more frequent and severe . Zinc supplementation for patients receiving methadone or other long-acting opioids maintenance treatment for opioid addiction is also worth being considered, especially as zinc urinary elimination is increased in case of methadone treatment .
Zinc ions strongly influence lots of neurotransmitter systems, including dopaminergic, glutamatergic, serotoninergic system; all of these has certain roles in addiction development and addiction-related phenomena, but such influence is not discussed in this review, due to the complexity of such a subject and to the difficulty of data interpretation.
The present review pleads that a possible beneficial role of zinc dietary supplementation in patients with malignancies treated with opiates for pain-suppression should be considered. The main arguments are: 1) reduction of morphine-dependence intensity in an model where zinc was administered in escalating during morphine induction phase and potentiation of some morphine withdrawal manifestations by the use of zinc chelators (evidenced by animal studies); 2) reduced zinc level in opioid users; 3) zinc own analgesic effects (well-evidenced on experimental rodents studies and, to a lesser extent, revealed by clinical studies); 4) the low toxicity of zinc salts for oral administration. The main contra-argument is related to the suspected zinc effect of lowering the opioids analgesic efficacy, due to affecting the analgesic binding to specific receptors.
This paper was published under the frame of European Social Found, Human Resources Development Operationl Programme 2007–2013, project no. POSDRU/159/1.5/136893.
]Contribution of the authors as mentioned below with their responsibility in the research. DC – conducted the initial literature review, wrote first draft of the manuscript and edited the manuscript; CMG – conducted additional literature searches, provided consultation and suggested revisions to content of the manuscript; CEL – provided consultation and suggested revisions to content of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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