Deficiency of the micronutrient zinc is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this review is to summarize evidence presented in literature for consolidation of current knowledge regarding zinc status in CKD patients, including those undergoing hemodialysis. Zinc deficiency is known to be associated with various risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as increased blood pressure, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Zinc may protect against phosphate-induced arterial calcification by suppressing activation of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B. Serum zinc levels have been shown to be positively correlated with T50 (shorter T50 indicates higher calcification propensity) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as those with CKD. Additionally, higher intake of dietary zinc was associated with a lower risk of severe abdominal aortic calcification. In hemodialysis patients, the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation in relation to serum zinc and oxidative stress levels was demonstrated in a meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials. Thus, evidence presented supports important roles of zinc regarding antioxidative stress and suppression of calcification and indicates that zinc intake/supplementation may help to ameliorate CVD risk factors in CKD patients.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease; chronic kidney disease; hemodialysis; zinc.