The role of zinc in renal pathological changes in diabetic status

Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the 8th leading cause of death in 2011, resulting in 1.4 million deaths worldwide. One of the complications of DM is chronic kidney disease, which accounts for nearly 44% of all new cases of kidney failure in the US in 2011. Zinc (Zn), an essential trace element, plays an important role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism. Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of Zn on renal pathological changes in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic subjects, by reducing levels of oxidative stress, glomerular damage, and urinary albumin excretion after Zn supplementation. In contrast, other studies have shown little effects of Zn supplementation on renal damage. This paper reviewed recent research developments and found promising results of Zn in reducing, and in some cases, completely preventing renal damage. Nevertheless, the use of Zn as a potential treatment and especially its long-term impact against renal pathological symptoms in DM patients needs to be further studied.