Interrelationships of zinc with glucose and insulin metabolism in humans

Abstract

Hyperzincemia has been reported to cause alterations in the homeostasis of glycid metabolism. To determine this effect on plasma glucose and insulin levels, we studied 36 normal individuals of both sexes aged 22-26 y after a 12-h fast. The tests were initiated at 7:00 AM when an antecubital vein was punctured and a device for infusion was installed and maintained with physiological saline. Zinc was administered orally at 8:00 AM. Subjects were divided into an experimental group of 22 individuals who received doses of 25, 37.5, and 50 mg of zinc and a control group of 14 individuals. Blood samples were collected over a period of 240 min after the basal samples (-30 and 0 min). We did not detect any change in plasma glucose or insulin levels, a fact that we attribute either to the ineffectiveness of the 50 mg dose of zinc or to the lack of human response to the acute action of this trace element. The individuals who ingested zinc showed a significant fall in plasma cortisol, probably caused by the action of this trace element.

Efeito da suplementação com zinco sobre a zincúria de pacientes com diabetes tipo 1

“…(20), testando os efeitos da suplementação de Zn em pacientes com DM tipo 2, não constataram diferença significativa nos níveis de HbA1c no grupo de pacientes após a suplementação. O efeito agudo da suplementação oral de Zn em pessoas saudáveis com doses de 25, 37,5 e 50mg/dia também não alterou o metabolismo da glicose nem da insulina plasmática (21).…”

Protective Effects of Antioxidant Micronutrients (Vitamin E, Zinc and Selenium) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Zinc has numerous potential targets to modulate insulin activity (16). For instance, zinc is a cofactor of enzymes implicated in glucose metabolism.…”

Toxicological Profile for Zinc

“…Decreased levels of serum cortisol (a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex) were observed in humans after a single dose of 0.5 mg zinc/kg/day as zinc sulfate (Brandao-Neto et al 1990b).…”

“…Increased serum and urine levels of zinc were observed in humans and animals after inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure to zinc (Bentley and Grubb 1991;Brandao-Neto et al 1990b;Hallmans 1977;Keen and Hurley 1977). However, the relationships between zinc exposure levels and the levels of zinc in biological fluids have not been established.…”