Tissue zinc status of genetically diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

A structural and functional relationship exists between zinc and insulin. In the present study zinc concentrations of various tissues from genetically diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and their appropriate control mice were determined. The zinc concentrations were depressed in serum and femur of C57BL/Ks-db+/db+ mice (db/db) when compared with their nondiabetic heterozygote controls (db/m) and homozygous controls (m/m). No differences were noted in the hepatic or renal Zn concentration of the db/db, db/m, or m/m mice. Zinc supplementation in the drinking water for a 4-wk period had no effect on serum or tissue zinc concentration. Hyperzincuria was noted in the db/db mice. No differences were noted in the Zn concentration of serum or tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice compared to their controls. These data suggest that zinc deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of the insulin resistance present in type II (insulin independent) diabetics.