Table 2.

Main zinc-mediated antioxidant pathways.

Antioxidant pathways	References
Binding to cysteines, Zn2+ protects proteins by oxidation	[381]
Zn2+ binds to and activates MTF-1, promoting the expression of metallothioneins, ZnT-1, and other target genes (like selenoprotein-1, which encodes an antioxidant glutathione-binding protein)	[284]
Zn2+ binds to Keap1 inducing the release and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 to activate the metal-response element	[381]
Zn2+ is a structural component of antioxidant enzymes (like SOD) and affects glutamate-cysteine ligase expression thus increasing GSH production	[382]
Zn2+ competing with other metals, such as iron and copper, at the binding sites modulates NOX activity	[383]
Zn2+ enhances the glycemic control and insulin sensibility contributing to the decrease in ROS production under hyperglycemic conditions	[384]