Antioxidant role of zinc in diabetes mellitus

Chronic hyperglycemia statue noticed in diabetes mellitus favors the manifestation of oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species and/or by reducing the antioxidant defense system activity. Zinc plays an important role in antioxidant defense in type 2 diabetic patients by notably acting as a cofactor of the superoxide dismutase enzyme, by modulating the glutathione metabolism and metallothionein expression, by competing with iron and copper in the cell membrane and by inhibiting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidephosphate-oxidase enzyme. Zinc also improves theoxidative stress in these patients by reducing chronichyperglycemia. It indeed promotes phosphorylation ofinsulin receptors by enhancing transport of glucose intocells. However, several studies reveal changes in zincmetabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitusand controversies remain regarding the effect of zincsupplementation in the improvement of oxidative stressin these patients. Faced with the serious challengeof the metabolic disorders related to oxidative stressin diabetes along with the importance of antioxidantnutrients in the control of this disease, new studies maycontribute to improve our understanding of the roleplayed by zinc against oxidative stress and its connectionwith type 2 diabetes mellitus prognosis. This could serveas a prelude to the development of prevention strategiesand treatment of disorders associated with this chronicdisease.