Serum levels of copper and zinc in diabetic retinopathy: Potential new therapeutic targets (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Ana Maria Dascalu
    • Anca Anghelache
    • Daniela Stana
    • Andreea Cristina Costea
    • Vanessa Andrada Nicolae
    • Denisa Tanasescu
    • Daniel Ovidiu Costea
    • Laura Carina Tribus
    • Anca Zgura
    • Dragos Serban
    • Lucian Duta
    • Miruna Tudosie
    • Simona Andreea Balasescu
    • Ciprian Tanasescu
    • Mihail Silviu Tudosie
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 11, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11253
  • Article Number: 324
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Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disorder occurring due to the long‑term effects of diabetes, leading to vision‑threatening damage to the retina. The human body has an elaborate system for managing and regulating the number of key trace metals circulating in the blood and stored cells. Inadequate zinc (Zn) and concurrent excess of copper (Cu) levels are associated with an increased level of oxidative stress, which may aggravate the microvascular lesions in diabetes mellitus. Several studies have revealed a significantly lower serum Zn concentration and increased Cu levels in DR when compared with diabetic patients without retinopathy and normal controls. These abnormalities are correlated with the duration of diabetes and higher levels of HbA1C. Multiple pathological mechanisms are proposed to explain these changes including hyperzincuria associated with polyuria, glycosuria, and proteinuria in diabetic patients, as well as impaired absorption of Zn at the gastrointestinal level. Increased levels of free Cu ions may be attributed to glycation and the release of Cu ions from the Cu‑binding sites of proteins. Zn supplements and selective Cu chelators may be useful to alleviate oxidative stress and prevent DR progression.
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May-2022
Volume 23 Issue 5

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Spandidos Publications style
Dascalu AM, Anghelache A, Stana D, Costea AC, Nicolae VA, Tanasescu D, Costea DO, Tribus LC, Zgura A, Serban D, Serban D, et al: Serum levels of copper and zinc in diabetic retinopathy: Potential new therapeutic targets (Review). Exp Ther Med 23: 324, 2022
APA
Dascalu, A.M., Anghelache, A., Stana, D., Costea, A.C., Nicolae, V.A., Tanasescu, D. ... Tudosie, M.S. (2022). Serum levels of copper and zinc in diabetic retinopathy: Potential new therapeutic targets (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 23, 324. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11253
MLA
Dascalu, A. M., Anghelache, A., Stana, D., Costea, A. C., Nicolae, V. A., Tanasescu, D., Costea, D. O., Tribus, L. C., Zgura, A., Serban, D., Duta, L., Tudosie, M., Balasescu, S. A., Tanasescu, C., Tudosie, M. S."Serum levels of copper and zinc in diabetic retinopathy: Potential new therapeutic targets (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23.5 (2022): 324.
Chicago
Dascalu, A. M., Anghelache, A., Stana, D., Costea, A. C., Nicolae, V. A., Tanasescu, D., Costea, D. O., Tribus, L. C., Zgura, A., Serban, D., Duta, L., Tudosie, M., Balasescu, S. A., Tanasescu, C., Tudosie, M. S."Serum levels of copper and zinc in diabetic retinopathy: Potential new therapeutic targets (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23, no. 5 (2022): 324. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11253