Zinc supplementation had beneficial effects in type 2 diabetic rats. - GreenMedInfo Summary

AIM: One of the major obstacles that male diabetics may confront is sub-infertility and infertility. Thus the present study aims at investigating the role of co-administration of metformin and zinc (Zn) on the testes of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control group; Diabetic non treated group; Diabetic + Metformin group, in which diabetic rats were treated by metformin 250 mg/kg orally once daily for 4 weeks; Diabetic + Metformin+ Zn group, in which diabetic rats treated for 4 weeks by metformin in combination with Zn 10mg/kg, orally once daily.

RESULTS: Concomitant administration of metformin and Zn produced a significant decrease in the serum levels of glucose, insulin and testicular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and TNF-α. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the serum levels of Zn, testosterone, FSH and testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and anti-apoptotic marker; Bcl-2, when compared to both the diabetic and metformin treated diabetic groups. Moreover, co-supplementation of Zn and metforminsignificantly improved the testicular histopathology with a significant reduction in the % area of collagen fibers, the NF-κB/p65 immunoreactivity and a significant increase in the seminiferous tubular diameter and the junctional protein, connexin (CX43) immunoreactivity as compared with the diabetic group and metformin treated diabetic group.

CONCLUSION: Addition of Zn to metformin was an efficacious and safe alternative treatment as it had superior anti-hyperglycemia efficacy and provides additional benefits than metformin alone in type 2 diabetic rats.