Zinc
deficiency is a risk factor for the development of obesity
and diabetes. Studies have shown lower serum zinc levels in obese
individuals and those with diabetes. We speculate that zinc supplementation
can alleviate obesity and diabetes and, to some extent, their complications.
To test our hypothesis, we investigated the effects of zinc supplementation
on mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in vivo and in vitro by adding zinc to
the diet of mice and the medium of HepG2 cells. Both results showed
that high levels of zinc could alleviate the glucose and lipid metabolic
disorders induced by a HFD. High zinc can reduce glucose production,
promote glucose absorption, reduce lipid deposition, improve HFD-induced
liver injury, and regulate energy metabolism. This study provides
novel insight into the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
and glucose metabolic disorder.
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