Zinc Levels and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Mini Review

Nikolaos D Karakousis; Elisavet E Pyrgioti; Petros N Georgakopoulos; Kyriaki Apergi; Djordje S Popovic; Nikolaos Papanas

doi:10.1177/15347346231214209

Zinc Levels and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Mini Review

Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2023 Nov 8:15347346231214209. doi: 10.1177/15347346231214209. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Nikolaos D Karakousis¹, Elisavet E Pyrgioti², Petros N Georgakopoulos³, Kyriaki Apergi⁴, Djordje S Popovic^{5

6}, Nikolaos Papanas¹

Affiliations

¹ Second Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Greece.
² Pharmacist, Private Practice, Athens, Greece.
³ Primary Healthcare, Internal Medicine Department, Attica, Amarousion, Greece.
⁴ Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
⁵ Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.
⁶ Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.

PMID: 37941343
DOI: 10.1177/15347346231214209

Abstract

The aim of this nonsystematic mini review was to discuss serum levels of zinc in subjects with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Most studies have reported low zinc levels in subjects with DFUs. Furthermore, there is some evidence that oral zinc supplementation may have a positive and beneficial impact on DFUs healing. Nonetheless, findings have so far not provided definitive answers. More studies are needed to clarify the role of zinc and its supplementation in this setting.

Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer; minerals; type 2 diabetes mellitus; zinc.

Publication types

Review