Zinc effects on hyperglycemia and hypoleptinemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Zinc has an antihyperglycemic effect. Zinc can also influence the production of leptin, a satiety factor that reduces appetite and blood sugar level. In this study, we investigated the effect of zinc supplementation on food intake and circulating leptin and glucose concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Male diabetic mice received zinc supplementation (20 ppm) from drinking water for two weeks. The results showed that zinc treatment did not affect body weight gain, body fat content or food intake in these diabetic mice. However, zinc supplementation markedly ameliorated the hyperglycemia of diabetic mice. After zinc treatment, serum leptin concentrations tended to increase in the diabetic mice. This study suggests that zinc is a mediator of leptin production.