Zinc, Insulin and Diabetes

Abstract

The relationship between diabetes, insulin and zinc (Zn) is complex with no clear cause and effect relationships. In Type 1 diabetes there is a lack of insulin production, in Type 2 diabetes resistance to the effects of insulin are predominant. Both Type 1 and Type 2 have the same long-term complications. Diabetes effects 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 and decreases in total body zinc. The role of Zn deficiency, which could, at least potentially, exacerbate the cytokine-induced damage in the autoimmune attack which destroys the islet cell in Type 1 diabetes, is unclear. Since Zn plays a clear role in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin as well as conformational integrity of insulin in the hexameric form, the decreased Zn, which affects the ability of the islet cell to produce and secrete insulin, might then compound the problem, particularly in Type 2 diabetes. Several of the complications of diabetes may be related to increased intracellular oxidants and free radicals associated with decreases in intracellular Zn and in Zn dependent antioxidant enzymes. There appears to be a complex interrelationship between Zn and both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The role of Zn in the clinical management of diabetes, its complications, or in its prevention is, at best, unclear.

Identification of Insulin‐Producing Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells by Zinc‐Chelating Dithizone

“…Therefore, DTZ staining is recognized as a valuable part of a possible approach to harvest human pancreatic islets from cadaveric donors as well as those with nonbeating hearts [30,31]. Zinc is required in pancreatic β cells for packaging insulin, an integral part of insulin crystals for 2-Zn-insulin hexamer, as well as free ionized zinc in the extragranular space that acts as a reservoir for granular zinc [42,43]. We took advantage of these zinc pools to identify cells harboring insulin-production ability Identification of Pancreatic Islets from ES Cells by DTZ that were in the mouse EB culture outgrowths and found emerging cellular clusters that were stained crimson red by DTZ in mixed populations of ES derivatives.…”

Correlation of trace elements (serum zinc and copper) in type 2 diabetic patients with and without complications

“…12 Some previous studies indicated that the lower serum zinc in diabetics may be due to diabetes related hyperzincuria and impaired gastrointestinal absorption of zinc. 13 In addition to the findings that zinc levels are often low in diabetic, it is also felt that zinc (along with other micronutrients) may participate as an integral component of antioxidant enzymes. Decrease in intracellular zinc and zinc dependent antioxidant enzyme lead to an increase in intracellular oxidant and free radicals-that associated with complications of diabetes.…”

Correlation Between Serum Zinc and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels in Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus.

“…Zn also increases insulin sensitivity by increasing the 2567 sensitivity of insulin binding to its receptors. [2].Disordered metabolism of zinc may interfere with achievement of glycemic control in DM and in turn leads to development of complications.…”

“…Insulin resistance leads to increased visceral fat, dyslipidemia, hypertension, ,vasculopathy, increased platelet aggregation, endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis. [2] The altered metabolism of various minerals and trace elements has been implicated in diabetes mellitus and these elements may play a vital role in the itiopathogenesis and progression of the disease. Of these trace elements-magnesium, zinc and copper are important for various physiologic functions.…”