Zinc deficiency is often observed in patients with diabetes which is primarily caused by the loss of zinc via urine and decreased zinc absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. A recent study published in ‘Nutrition & Diabetes’ investigated the correlation between zinc levels and Nrf2 expression and potential effects on the clinicopathology of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

The study was conducted in 30 patients with DN, diagnosed via renal biopsy and 30 healthy individuals as the control group. Patients with DN were divided into normal-zinc and low-zinc groups. The researchers analyzed the levels of zinc, copper, and Nrf2 mRNA in their serum, and collected the clinical and pathological data of DN patients.

Serum zinc level and Nrf2 mRNA expression were significantly decreased in patients with DN compared to those of healthy people (P < 0.05). Of the 30 patients, 16 had low zinc (53.3%) and 14 had normal zinc levels (46.7%). There was no significant difference in the blood Nrf2 mRNA expression between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the expression of Nrf2 in the kidney tissue of the low-zinc group was significantly lower compared to the normal-zinc group (P < 0.05).

According to the researchers, patients with DN were more likely to have zinc deficiency and lower expression of Nrf2. Also, DN patients with zinc deficiency were prone to have more severe clinical and pathological manifestations.