Concentration of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium in the Serum, Tissues, and Urine of Streptozotocin-Induced Mild Diabetic Rat Model.

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate, in the streptozotocin-induced mild diabetic rat model, the zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentration in serum, liver, and kidney tissues, and urine samples from adult Wistar rats treated neonatally with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetes was induced by subcutaneous administration of streptozotocin (100mg/Kg) in female Wistar rats of 2days old (STZ, n=10). Control group (CG, n=10) received only sodium-citrate buffer. The mineral concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The validity and accuracy were checked by conventional methods. STZ neonatal injection successfully leaded to mild diabetes in the adult rats. Serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, and Mg showed no changes (p>0.05) due to diabetes. The Zn, Fe, Ca, and Mg concentrations in liver and kidney tissues were not different (p>0.05) between STZ and CG. The mean values of Cu were higher (p<0.05) in liver and kidney samples from STZ as compared to CG. Urine minerals concentrations (Zn, Cu, Fe and Ca) in STZ-rats group were lower (p<0.05) than CG. However, the content of all evaluated minerals in the excreted urine were higher (p<0.01) in STZ-rats during a 24h collection period. Urinary excretion of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, and Mg was strongly correlated with urinary volume during the 24h period (r>0.7; p<0.001). Observed changes in mineral metabolism of STZ-induced mild diabetes model could be due to the endocrine imbalance associated with the diabetic condition.