Abstract
Summary
Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of zinc deficiency on glucose tolerance, and on blood and pancreatic insulin concentrations. In the first study, no significant differences in blood glucose or plasma insulin levels were noted between pair-weighted zinc deficient and zinc sufficient rats after an oral glucose load. In the second experiment, the concentration of pancreatic insulin in pair-fed zinc sufficient rats did not differ significantly from that of zinc deficient rats. However, a zinc sufficient group fed ad libitum had significantly lower pancreatic insulin levels, suggesting that food restriction may cause increased pancreatic insulin. Thus, zinc deficiency per se had no apparent effect on oral glucose tolerance or pancreatic insulin concentrations.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the helpful advice of Dr. J. Hsu who suggested the initiation of these studies. We also appreciate the technical assistance of Mary Patricia Howard, Frances Bagot, and Angel Wade.
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