Zinc alleviates vascular calcification by activating ERK1/2-mediated autophagy.

ABSTRACT: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes a significant health and economic burden across the world. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc on CKD-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and autophagy in CKD rats by a diet containing 0.25% adenine and low vitamin K and to explore its mechanism of action on autophagy and calcification in a vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification model using 10 mM β-glycerophosphate (β-GP). In vivo experiments showed that zinc supplementation improved blood and urinary biochemistry, corrected abnormalities related to bone metabolism in rats with CKD, promoted autophagy, and reduced aortic calcification. In vitro, zinc reduced the calcification of VSMCs induced by β-GP. During VSMC calcification, zinc further upregulated autophagy levels and the phosphor

SUBMITTER: Guo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484616 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature