Influence of zinc levels and Nrf2 expression in the clinical and pathological changes in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Objective We investigated the correlation between zinc levels and Nrf2 expression and potential effects on the clinicopathology of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods We selected 30 patients with DN, diagnosed via renal biopsy at our hospital from March 2018 to November 2019, and enrolled 30 healthy individuals from a medical examination center as the control group. Patients with DN were divided into normal-zinc and low-zinc groups. We detected the levels of zinc, copper, and Nrf2 mRNA in their serum, and collected the clinical and pathological data of DN patients. Results 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). Diastolic blood pressure and copper levels were significantly higher in the low-zinc group ( P < 0.05). In contrast, body mass index, red blood cell count, Hb level, and the ratio of zinc to copper were significantly lower in the low-zinc group ( P < 0.05). The pathological classifications of the low-zinc group were more severe ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with DN were more likely to have zinc deficiency and lower expression of Nrf2. Additionally, DN patients with zinc deficiency were prone to have more severe clinical and pathological manifestations.