This study investigates the effects of zinc in acute kidney injury induced by gentamicin (Ge). We used Wistar male rats distributed in 4 groups of 12 animals each, treated intraperitoneally as follows: Group I (Control) treated with distilled water; Group II (Ge) with experimental induced acute renal failure with Ge; Group III (Ge + Zn) administration of ZnCl2 in animals with experimental induced renal failure with Ge, Group IV (Zn) treated with ZnCl2 as positive control. We measured serum levels of urea, creatinine, total antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and urinary proteins before the nephrotoxicity induction (baseline) and 3, 7 and 10 days after Ge administration. The renal histopathological analysis was also done. The results showed an increase of urea and creatinine values in Ge + Zn group after 7 days compared to baseline, but less accentuated than those in Ge group. Zn supplementation was associated with an increase of the total antioxidant status in Ge + Zn group compared to Ge group (P < 0.01). It was also revealed a significant reduction of proteinuria in Ge + Zn group compared to Ge group (P < 0.001). The histopathological investigation highlighted the tubular necrosis affecting more than 90% of proximal tubules in Ge group. In Ge + Zn group it was observed a milder degree of tubular necrosis (influencing less than 25% of proximal tubules), a moderate inflammation and the presence of tubular regeneration. In conclusion, Zn administration proved a to have a protective role in experimental gentamicin-induced acute renal failure.