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2013, Volume 7, Issue 1

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Frontiers of Medicine >> 2013, Volume 7, Issue 1 doi: 10.1007/s11684-013-0251-9

Zinc homeostasis in the metabolic syndrome and diabetes

1. The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;

2. The Organ Transplantation Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;

3. KCHRI at the Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;

4. Chinese-American Research Institute for Diabetic Complications, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325035, China;

5. Departments of Radiation Oncology and Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA

Available online: 2013-03-05
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Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential mineral that is required for various cellular functions. Zn dyshomeostasis always is related to certain disorders such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes and diabetic complications. The associations of Zn with metabolic syndrome, diabetes and diabetic complications, thus, stem from the multiple roles of Zn: (1) a constructive component of many important enzymes or proteins, (2) a requirement for insulin storage and secretion, (3) a direct or indirect antioxidant action, and (4) an insulin-like action. However, whether there is a clear cause-and-effect relationship of Zn with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or diabetic complications remains unclear. In fact, it is known that Zn deficiency is a common phenomenon in diabetic patients. Chronic low intake of Zn was associated with the increased risk of diabetes and diabetes also impairs Zn metabolism. Theoretically Zn supplementation should prevent the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and diabetic complications; however, limited available data are not always supportive of the above notion. Therefore, this review has tried to summarize these pieces of available information, possible mechanisms by which Zn prevents the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and diabetic complications. In the final part, what are the current issues for Zn supplementation were also discussed.

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