Prenatal and postnatal zinc deficiency induces alterations in cardiac apoptotic, inflammatory, oxidative, and nitric oxide pathways that could predispose the onset of cardiovascular diseases in adult life.

This review summarizes the latest findings, from animal models and clinical studies, regarding the cardiovascular and metabolic consequences in adult life of zinc deficiency (ZD) during prenatal and early postnatal life. The effect of zinc supplementation (ZS) and new insights about sex differences in the phenotype and severity of cardiovascular and metabolic alterations are also discussed. Zinc has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties and regulates the activity of enzymes involved in regulation of the metabolic, cardiovascular and renal systems. Maternal ZD is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and low birth weight (LBW). Breast-fed preterm infants are at risk for ZD due to lower zinc uptake during fetal life and reduced gut absorption capacity. ZS is most likely to increase growth in preterm infants and survival in LBW infants in countries where ZD is prevalent. Studies performed in rats revealed that moderate ZD during prenatal and/or early postnatal growth is a risk factor for the development of hypertension, cardiovascular and renal alterations, obesity and diabetes in adult life. Adequate zinc diet (AZ) during post-weaning life could not always prevent the cardiovascular and metabolic alterations induced by zinc restriction during fetal and lactation periods. Male rats are more susceptible to this injury than females and some of the mechanisms involved would be: 1) alterations in organogenesis, 2) activation of oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory processes, 3) dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO) and renin angiotensin aldosterone (RAAS) systems, 4) changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, and 5) adipose tissue dysfunction. Safeguarding body zinc requirements during pregnancy, lactation, and growth periods may become a new target in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Further research is needed to elucidate the efficacy of ZS during early stages of growth to prevent the development of these diseases later in life.