Effect of acute zinc deficiency on insulin receptor binding in rat adipocytes

Considerable data have been reported on the relationship between insulin resistance and zinc deficiency. In this study, insulin receptor binding was measured in isolated rat adipocytes. Two assays were carried out at 37 degrees C (binding and internalization) and 16 degrees C (binding) using 125I insulin 0.05-20 nM. A decreased insulin receptor binding was observed in zinc-deficient rat adipocytes, but we could not make any distinction between the specific zinc depletion effects and the effects of the caloric restriction induced by zinc deficiency.