Effects of obesity and diabetes on tissue zinc and copper concentrations in the zucker rat

Abstract

Abnormal zinc metabolism has been identified in human subjects with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), who are also frequently obese. In this study, we have examined the relative effects of obesity and diabetes on tissue zinc and copper concentrations in several tissues (liver, kidney, testis, muscle, and bone) from control and streptozotocin diabetic lean and obese male Zucker rats. Obese Zucker rats had significantly lower hepatic zinc and copper and higher muscle and femur zinc concentrations than did their lean controls. Diabetic animals had significantly increased hepatic and renal zinc and copper concentrations. Therefore, obesity and diabetes have distinct effects on zinc and copper concentrations in these tissues. The nearly normal zinc and diabetic conditions on hepatic concentrations of these two trace metals.