Clinical Significance of Trace Element Zinc in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

The trace element zinc is essential for diverse physiological processes in humans. Zinc deficiency can impair growth, skin reproduction, immune function, maintenance of taste, glucose metabolism, and neurological function. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are susceptible to zinc deficiency, which is associated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) hypo-responsive anemia, nutritional problems, and cardiovascular diseases as well as non-specific symptoms such as dermatitis, prolonged wound healing, taste disturbance, appetite loss, or cognitive decline. Thus, zinc supplementation may be useful for the treatment of its deficiency, although it often causes copper deficiency, which is characterized by several severe disorders including cytopenia and myelopathy. In this review article, we mainly discuss the significant roles of zinc and the association between zinc deficiency and the pathogenesis of complications in patients with CKD.

Automated summary

Zinc is essential for various physiological processes in humans, and its deficiency can lead to impaired growth, immune function, taste maintenance, and neurological function. Patients with chronic kidney disease are at risk of zinc deficiency, which is associated with anemia, nutritional problems, cardiovascular diseases, and non-specific symptoms. Zinc supplementation may be beneficial, but it can cause copper deficiency and severe disorders. This review focuses on the roles of zinc and its association with complications in CKD patients.