title: Zinc and diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an important nutrient that is involved in various physiological metabolisms. Zn dyshomeostasis is often associated with various pathogeneses of chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and related complications. Zn is present in ocular tissue in high concentrations, particularly in the retina and choroid. Zn deficiencies have been shown to affect ocular development, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and even diabetic retinopathy. However, the mechanism by which Zn deficiency increases the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy remains unclear. In addition, due to the negative effect of Zn deficiency on the eye, Zn supplementation should prevent diabetic retinopathy; however, limited available data do not always support this notion. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to summarize these pieces of available information regarding Zn prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Current theories and possible mechanisms underlying the role of Zn in the eye-related diseases are discussed. The possible factors that affect the preventive effect of Zn supplementation on diabetic retinopathy were also discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China ; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Street, Changchun 130041, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Weixia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Lining
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Yaowen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guanfang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu