Role of Zinc in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) represents the most common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in developed countries. Approximately 30% to 40% of diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects develop DKD, and its presence significantly increases the risk for morbidity and mortality. In this context, Zinc seems to have a potential role in kidney and body homeostasis in diabetic individuals as well as in patients at a high risk of developing this condition. This essential element has functions that may counteract diabetes-related risk factors and complications, which include stabilization of insulin hexamers and pancreatic insulin storage and improved glycemic control. In our review, we analyzed the current knowledge on the role of zinc in the management of renal impairment in course of DM. Several studies underline the critical role of zinc in reducing oxidative stress levels, which is considered the common denominator of the mechanisms responsible for the progression of kidney disease. Reaching and maintaining a proper serum zinc level could represent a valuable target to reduce symptoms related to DM complications and contrast the progression of kidney impairment in patients with the high risk of developing end-stage renal disease. In conclusion, analyzing the beneficial role of zinc in this review would advance our knowledge on the possible strategies of DM and DKD treatment.

Potential Role of Copper in Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease

“…An important mechanism to evaluate the copper homeostasis is its association with zinc levels. Zinc is fundamental for the function of the antioxidant enzyme copper–zinc SOD, and an appropriate balance between these two micronutrients is of pivotal importance to controlling inflammation and reducing risk factors associated with DKD [ 42 ].…”

Nutraceutical Prevention of Diabetic Complications—Focus on Dicarbonyl and Oxidative Stress

“…These findings, however, should be viewed circumspectly inasmuch as hyperglycemia impairs renal retention of zinc; diabetics therefore tend to be relatively zinc deficient, and lower zinc status in diabetics may thus be a marker for poorer diabetic control [ 36 , 37 ]. The causative association between zinc status and diabetic complications is better established by studies in diabetic rodents—concurrent zinc deficient has been found to aggravate diabetic complications, whereas zinc supplementation has been found to be protective with respect to such complications [ 36 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. Two small, short term controlled clinical trials of zinc supplementation observed improvements in peripheral neuropathy, as assessed by motor nerve conduction velocity [ 59 , 60 ].…”

Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Research Progress in the Diabetic Nephropathy Field from 2001 to 2021

“…Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication that often develops in diabetic patients and is currently the leading global cause of chronic kidney disease, imposing a significant burden on patients [ 2 ]. As the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), diabetes mellitus (DM) is also contributing to higher rates of patient mortality [ 3 ]. As such, DN has emerged as a key focus of diabetes-related research interest, with large quantities of complex studies focused on DN having been published over the past two decades.…”

“…Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication that often develops in diabetic patients and is currently the leading global cause of chronic kidney disease, imposing a significant burden on patients [2]. As the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), diabetes mellitus (DM) is also contributing to higher rates of patient mortality [3].…”