The study of effects on serum glucose, total lipid, total protein and albumin levels of orally zinc in rats

Objective: Zinc is an essential trace element, its metabolic roles are not known exactly. For this reason, we purposed to investigate the effects of zinc on the metabolism of lipid, carbohydrate and protein in our study. Material and methods: Hundred male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. After the adaptation period, rats were divided into 5 equal groups. Experimental period was 22 days. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Zero ppm, 100 ppm, 500 ppm. 1000 ppm and 2000 ppm zinc were given orally by nasogastric probe to control, experiment 1, experiment 2, experiment 3 and experiment 4 groups, respectively, in days 1, 6, 11, 16 and 21 of experimental period. Blood samples were taken on days 2, 7, 12, 17, 22 of experimental period. Serum glucose, total lipid, cholesterol, total protein and albumin levels in sera were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results: At the end of the experimental period, all the parameters did not significantly increase in experimental groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that high doses of zinc decreases serum glucose levels, but increases total lipid, total protein and albumin rates. Further studies are needed to explain the metabolic functions of this element.