The variation of macro- and micro-minerals of tissues in diabetic and non-diabetic rats

Chromium(III) Glycinate Complex Supplementation Improves the Blood Glucose Level and Attenuates the Tissular Copper to Zinc Ratio in Rats with Mild Hyperglycaemia

The aim of the study was to evaluate the hypoglycaemic potential of supplementary Cr in the form of chromium(III) glycinate (CrGly) in the diabetic model of rats. The experiment was conducted on 40 male Wistar rats, of which 30 were made diabetic by injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg b.m.), while the remaining 10 rats served as the healthy control. After inducing hyperglycaemia, 2 groups of diabetic rats (10 rats each) were supplemented with Cr either as CrGly or chromium(III) picolinate (CrPic) given orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg diet (about 0.75 mg Cr/kg b.m.) with adequate AIN-93M diet for 7 weeks. At the termination of experiment, all animals were sacrificed to collect blood and internal organs for biochemical assays. Blood biochemical indices and tissular trace element contents (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr) were measured and compared with the values of the untreated groups. It was found that CrGly significantly decreased blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels more efficiently than CrPic. Furthermore, both Cr compounds normalized disturbed the serum, renal and cardiac molar Cu/Zn ratio, as well as restored the kidney Zn and Cu levels in rats with hyperglycaemia. Supplementary Cr did not increase the tissular Cr levels in diabetic rats. The study confirmed the hypoglycaemic potential of CrGly in the diabetic model of rats.

Oral Supplementation Effect of Iron and its Complex Form With Quercetin on Oxidant Status and on Redistribution of Essential Metals in Organs of Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

Background and aims: Quercetin, is a polyphenolic antioxidant compound. It is able to form complex with metal ions such as iron and exerts a broad range of biological activities like improving metabolic disorders. This research aims at investigating the effect of oral supplementation of iron (2.5mg Fe/Kg/day) and its complex form (molar ratio 1:5; 2.5mg/25mg/Kg/day) with quercetin (25mg/Kg/day) on lipid metabolism, oxidant status and trace elements contents in organs of Wistar diabetic rats (45 mg/kg/rat.ip of streptozotocin) during eight weeks of experimentation.

Material and method: To achieve this, liver and adipose tissue enzymes activities, NO • , O2 −• , TBARs, carbonyl protein levels in plasma were analysed. Metals (Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn) analysis of organs were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Results: Iron supplemented alone induced a noticeable disorder in lipid, lipoprotein, lipases and oxidant status. Yet, it caused an imbalance in the redistribution of metals in the organs of diabetic and non diabetic rats. Iron-quercetin complex was shown as less harmful and more beneficial than iron supplemented alone.

Conclusions: This complex could reverse oxidative stress and iron deficiency mostly caused by the diabetic disease but at the same time it induces an imbalance in redistribution of other essential metals.

The Relationship between Dietary, Serum and Hair Levels of Minerals (Fe, Zn, Cu) and Glucose Metabolism Indices in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of Zn, Fe and Cu in the serum and hair, and dietary intake of type 2 diabetic patients and their association with glucose and lipid indices. The study was conducted on 62 people aged 40-78 years (31 diabetic patients and 31 healthy subjects, who were the control group). The content of trace elements in the hair and serum was analysed with the AAS method. The serum insulin, HbA1c, glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured by means of RIA, HPLC and colorimetric methods, respectively. The diabetic patients were found to have significantly higher dietary iron intake, higher hair Fe and lower serum Zn concentrations than the non-diabetic subjects, while the hair Zn and Cu contents were comparable in both groups. The serum Zn and Cu levels of the diabetic subjects were negatively correlated with the serum glucose, the serum Zn and Cu/Zn ratio was inversely correlated with the serum total cholesterol and the serum insulin level was positively associated with the hair Cu/Zn ratio. The results of this study indicate that the trace element status (Zn, Fe, Cu), as reflected in the blood serum and hair, may be disturbed due to metabolic derangement occurring in diabetes.