The Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome Development and Tissue Trace Elements Status and Inflammatory Markers

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and hypertension.
• Trace elements like zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), along with cytokines, play crucial roles in inflammation and glucose metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cytokine responses and trace element concentrations (Zn and Cu) in various tissues of sucrose-induced MetS rats.
• To compare these levels with those in healthy control rats.

Main Methods:

• Sucrose-induced metabolic syndrome model in rats (n=7 per group).
• Measurement of zinc and copper concentrations in serum and specific tissues (liver, pancreas, kidney, heart).
• Analysis of inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6) in MetS tissues.

Main Results:

• MetS rats showed decreased Zn in liver and pancreas, and increased Zn in kidney and heart tissues compared to controls.
• Serum Zn levels were lower in MetS rats; serum Cu levels showed no significant difference.
• Kidney tissues in MetS rats exhibited decreased Cu concentration and an increased Zn/Cu ratio. Inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in MetS tissues.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to report Zn and Cu concentrations and their relationship with inflammation in different tissues in MetS.
• Tissue-specific Zn levels, more so than Cu levels, significantly impact MetS pathogenesis.
• A clear relationship exists between Zn and Cu concentrations and inflammatory markers within the pathophysiology of MetS.