Effects of arachidonic acid plus zinc on glucose disposal in genetically diabetic (ob/ob) mice
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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice
Published on: November 16, 2011
I K Hwang1, V L W Go, D M Harris
1UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1742, USA.
Aim:
The present study is designed to determine whether arachidonic acid (AA) plus zinc improves clinical signs of diabetes in genetically diabetic ob/ob mice.
Methods:
In the first study, effects of acute administration of AA plus zinc on glucose disposal were determined in ob/ob and lean mice (n = 6 each). In the second study, ob/ob and lean mice were treated with increasing doses of AA plus zinc for 2 weeks (n = 5 each). Postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, three-hour-area-average above fasting glucose concentration (TAFGC), water and food intake, body weight and plasma insulin concentrations were measured.
Results:
Acute administration of AA plus zinc significantly increased glucose disposal in ob/ob mice. In the second study, postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, TAFGC, and water and food intake in ob/ob mice treated with AA plus zinc for 2 weeks were significantly decreased compared with those in mice given no AA. Plasma insulin concentrations in both lean and ob/ob mice were not changed by AA treatment in drinking water.
Conclusions:
AA plus zinc in drinking water is effective in decreasing blood glucose levels in obese mice. These results indicate that use of these compounds should be considered as a dietary supplement to control hyperglycaemia in patients with type II diabetes.
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