Altered tissue content of trace metals in diabetic hyperinsulinaemic sand rats (Psammomys obesus).

The concentrations of zinc, copper, and chromium in liver, kidney, muscle, bone and serum from control normoinsulinaemic and hyperinsulinaemic sand rats (Psammomys obesus) and from untreated spontaneously hyperinsulinaemic-hyperglycaemic sand rats were compared. A chronic hyperinsulinaemic-hyperglycaemic state was associated with a significant reduction (p less than 0.01) of zinc concentration in the liver, kidney and muscle but an elevation of zinc content in bone and of chromium in the liver. A hyperinsulinaemic-nor-moglycaemic state was not associated with similar changes in zinc concentration in the liver, kidney, muscle and bone. We conclude that in hyperinsulinaemic-hyperglycaemic sand rats there is a tendency to zinc depletion in several tissues. This depletion is not solely the result of a hyperinsulinaemic state but may be related to accompanying hyperglycaemia.