Evaluating the Role of Zinc in the Occurrence of Fibrosis of the Skin: A Preclinical Study

Purpose: To investigate the possible role of Zn as a trigger for NSF we were using a previously established preclinical model. The depletion of endogenous Zinc ions (Zn) caused by the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has been suggested as a possible pathomechanism for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Materials and Methods: In the Zn supplementation study, rats were injected with Gadodiamide, Omniscan, and Magnevist with or without Zn supplementation. In the Zn depletion study, animals were kept on a Zn-deficient diet or a special control diet and received injections of Omniscan, OptiMARK, Magnevist, Gadovist, and Gd-EDTA. Gd, Zn, and Cu concentrations in tissue were measured and histology of the skin was performed. Results: As seen in earlier studies, a difference in Gd concentration in the skin was observed following treatment with the different GBCAs. High Gd concentration in the skin correlated with the occurrence of NSF-like skin lesions. We observed no differences in the occurrence of skin lesions between the Zn supplementation and the Zn-deficient groups compared to their respective control groups. Conclusion: We found no significant effect of Zn on the initiation of NSF-like skin lesions. The results further support data from previous studies highlighting the importance of complex stability of the investigated GBCAs.