The value of serum zinc in early detection of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients

ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to study the value of serum zinc in early detection of nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.BackgroundZinc is involved in multiple aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of nearly 100 enzymes and it plays a major role in immunity, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc is also important for normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence, and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to keep a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system. Zinc plays important role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. Zinc supplementation for 12 weeks can reduce albumin excretion in patients with diabetic microalbuminuria probably through antioxidative mechanisms.Patients and methodsThis case–control study was conducted on 100 participants classified into four groups: 25 healthy individuals (group I), 25 diabetic patients without albuminuria (group II), 25 diabetic patients with albuminuria (group III), and 25 nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (group IV).ResultsMean serum zinc level was found to be lower in group III (37.6 ± 15.92) compared with the control group (80.48 ± 12.06) and other patient groups, group II (50.28 ± 15.85) and group IV (39.72 ± 16.21), with a high statistical significance.ConclusionLow serum zinc levels were related to the development of diabetic nephropathy.