OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of glycemic control, and zinc concentrations in blood and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in type 2 diabetes patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three individuals, aged between 25 and 59 years, were divided into the experimental group (type 2 diabetes patients, n = 36) and control group (n = 37). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations, superoxide dismutase activity, and parameters of glycemic control were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean plasma zinc concentration was 74.1 ± […]

This review reports the etiological aspects of insulin resistance as well as the participation of zinc in this process. Zinc participates in the metabolic pathways involving protein synthesis, and the metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid and nucleic acid. This element has been associated with the interaction between hormones and their receptors and to the improvement in the post-receptor stimulus. In vitro studies show that insulin may form a complex with zinc improving the solubility of this hormone in the pancreatic b […]

The effect of oral zinc (Zn) supplementation was investigated in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (DM1), evaluating their metabolic control and urinary Zn concentrations. Twenty DM1 patients were compared with a control group (n=17); the metabolic control included fasting glucose levels, 24h urinary glucose levels and HbA1c. Zn concentrations were measured in 24h urine before (T1) and after (T2) supplementation. DM1 patients were given oral supplements of tasteless bis-glycine chelated Zn during a 4 month period after the […]