Link found between zinc, diabetes and liver obesity
Scientists conducted a study to find out the link between zinc concentration in the body and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
To begin with, they analyzed the genetic sequence data of 580 people from European countries. Most of them (518 study subjects) were healthy, the remaining 62 people were diagnosed with type II diabetes.
It turned out that the risk of developing diabetes is reduced when the function of the zinc transporter protein SLC39A5 is weakened. And its loss protects against obesity-induced hyperglycemia and liver pathology.
Zinc helps immune function, cell growth and division, DNA synthesis and metabolism. Given its importance, our bodies have evolved mechanisms to maintain zinc levels. One such mechanism involves the Solute Carrier Family 39, Member 5 (SLC39A5) gene. It encodes a protein that belongs to a family of zinc transporters that channel zinc into cells.
Previous studies have found a link between zinc and improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, but "how it works" scientists didn't know. That's what prompted the researchers to investigate the mechanism behind it, starting with SLC39A5.
"We know that increasing zinc intake improves blood glucose control in people with prediabetes or type II diabetes, and people with a mutation in a key zinc transporter protein had reduced risk of diabetes," explains Shek Man Chim, lead author of the study. - However, the mechanism of how zinc affects systemic blood glucose levels and diabetes risk remains unclear."
The researchers also conducted experiments on genetically modified mice that lacked the zinc transfer protein. The animals were fed foods with higher levels of fat and fructose, which promote fat accumulation.
However, the rodents showed a significant decrease in blood sugar. Especially when compared to individuals from the control group with a normally functioning zinc transporter SLC39A5.
A similar effect was also registered in experimental mice with congenital obesity.
The loss of functional ability of the SLC39A5 protein reduced insulin resistance in the animals and led to a decrease in fat deposits in the liver, as the blood was replenished with sufficient zinc. Scientists believe their study proves the protective role of zinc in normalizing blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of developing type II diabetes.
The study is published in the journal Genetics and Genomics.