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Dietary zinc supplementation attenuates hyperglycemia in db/db mice.
1Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|May 23, 2001
Summary
Dietary zinc supplementation improved glycemic control in type II diabetes models. Supplementing zinc reduced high blood sugar and insulin levels in db/db mice, indicating its potential role in diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Zinc (Zn) deficiency is linked to insulin resistance.
- Altered Zn metabolism occurs in diabetes, but its effect on insulin action is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary zinc deficiency and supplementation on glycemic control in type II diabetes (db/db mice).
Main Methods:
- Weanling db/db mice and lean controls were fed diets with varying zinc levels (deficient, adequate, supplemented) for 6 weeks.
- Assessed Zn status, diabetes markers, and insulin receptor activity in muscle tissue.
Main Results:
- Zinc supplementation (300 ppm) significantly lowered fasting serum glucose in db/db mice compared to deficient diets.
- Supplemented mice showed higher pancreatic Zn and lower circulating insulin.
- A negative correlation was found between femur Zn and serum glucose.
Conclusions:
- Dietary zinc supplementation attenuated hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in a type II diabetes mouse model.
- Further research is needed on zinc's role in pancreatic function and glucose uptake.