The Effect of Zinc on Insulin Metabolism*

Abstract

Experiments were designed to study the effect of Zn on in vivo and in vitro insulin metabolism. The in vivo experiments involved pretreating mice with either Zn or Na, followed by ip [125I]iodoinsulin injection. Pretreatment of mice with Zn resulted in an accelerated and increased magnitude of binding of [125I]iodoinsulin to the liver compared to mice pretreated with Na. Results are submitted which support the probability that the changes in the amounts of intact and degraded insulin in circulation with time are related to the binding and degradation of insulin in the liver rather than in the kidney. In vivo ip injected insulin was demonstrated to preferentially bind to the plasma membrane of the liver. Liver plasma membranes isolated from mice pretreated with Zn bound more [125I]iodoinsulin than plasma membranes of Na-pretreated mice. In vitro experiments employing isolated liver plasma membranes demonstrated that added Zn increased the binding and inhibited the degradation of insulin. Evidence is presented that supports the concept that two receptors exist, one at which degradation of [125I]iodoinsulin occurs and another at which degradation does not occur.

Antihyperglycemic Activity, Antihyperlipedemic Activity, Hepatoprotective Activity and Histopathological Analysis of Natural Honey in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Some of these minerals are reported to play vital roles in the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance and insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cells [20]. Other ions such as copper and zinc are also known to be involved in glucose and insulin metabolism [21]. Even though the amounts of these minerals in honey may be small, it is worthwhile to note that these trace elements are not actually required in large quantities.…”

Effects of Honey Supplementation on Hepatic and Cardiovascular Disease(CVD) Marker in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Some of these minerals are reported to play vital roles in the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance and insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cells [17]. Other ions such as copper and zinc are also known to be involved in glucose and insulin metabolism [18]. According to Ginsberg, another possible strategy to treat diabetic dyslipidemia is to link glucose and fatty acid metabolism by improving insulin action in fat cells which result in lower LDL, triglyceride and in increased HDL levels [19].…”

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Electrophysiological Recording (ESP. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential) in Diabetic Patients (NIDDM) with Neuropathy

“…Diabetes affects zinc homeostasis in many ways, although it is most probably the hyperglycemia, rather than any primary lesion related to diabetes, which is responsible for the increased urinary loss (Cunningham et al, 1994) and decreases in total body zinc (Arquilla et al, 1978). Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis and action of insulin, both physiologically and in the pathologic state of diabetes (Raz et al, 1989).…”