Evaluation of the Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Normoglycemic and Streptozotocin-induced Type-2 Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, progressive disease, which is accompanied by multiple complications. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are common complications of diabetes mellitus. The current approaches for treatment of diabetes are mostly dependent on insulin and other oral standard drugs, which have their own put falls. Thus, micronutrients supplementation is gaining momentum as the quest for management of diabetes continues. Certain micronutrients increase insulin synthesis secretion and insulin sensitivity thereby improve glycemic control and dyslipidemia. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in normoglycemicand STZ-induced type-2 diabetic rats. Measurements of biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose level, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, and serum lipid profile (HDL-c, LDL-c, TC, and TG) were carried out. Glucometer was used to analyze the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and interventional (daily) blood glucose levels over time. At the end of the experiment, Cobasintegra 400 plus was used to analyze the blood glucose levels and lipid profile. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and paired sample students T-test statistical methods. Diabetic rats receiving 90 mg/kg zinc supplement had significantly low blood glucose levels (P < 0.05 at 2 and 6 hrs and P < 0.01 at 4 hrs vs day 30) compared with the initial blood glucose level, over time. Similarly, this group had low blood glucose levels (P < 0.01 at 2 and 6 hrs; and P < 0.001 at 4 hrs vs day 30) compared with diabetic control group. The diabetic rats treated with 90 mg/kg zinc had significant differences of lipid profile (P < 0.05 vs HDL-c, P < 0.01 vs TG, and P < 0.001 vs LDL-c and TC) compared with diabetic control rats. The present study showed that zinc supplement had hypoglycemic effect in normoglycemic rats, but had no effect on their lipid profile. This supplement had pronounced effect in improving glycemic control and dyslipidemia of the diabetic rats. The results from the current study can be utilized to pinpoint the effect of Zinc supplementation innormoglycemic and T2DM. In addition, this study is significant to know for how much time Zinc prolongs the action of insulin over time thereby to maintain glycemic control and lipid profile in T2DM.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, zinc, insulin sensitivity, fasting blood glucose level, serum lipid profile, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test

Cite this Article

Gebremeskel  and Seifu. Evaluation of the Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Normoglycemic and Streptozotocin-induced Type-2 Diabetic Rats. Research and Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2016; 5(2): 41–51p.