Ameliorative effect of zinc supplementation on compromised small intestinal health in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Zinc depletion during diabetes postulates a role for zinc nutrition in the management of associated complications. The present study evaluated zinc supplementation for countering the compromised intestinal integrity through moderation of oxidative stress and suppression of stress-stimulated inflammatory proliferation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were provided with supplemental zinc for six weeks (5 and 10-times of normal level). Supplemental zinc nurtured diabetic groups evidenced a significant reversal of the disruption of intestinal ultra structure. While the brush border membrane (BBM) of diabetic animals showed decreased fluidity with increased cholesterol: phospholipid ratio and altered polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio, the same was countered in zinc supplementation. A stimulated activity of BBM-bound enzymes suggested a modulation in membrane dynamics in diabetic condition which was moderated in zinc treatment. Higher expression of the lipid oxidative markers, oxidative stress markers, concomitant inflammatory markers, cytokines, fibrosis factors and apoptotic regulatory proteins in the intestines were curbed by zinc supplementation. The pathological aberrations of the intestinal architecture in diabetic animals were similarly reverted. Thus, supplemental zinc has a favourable consequence in restricting the compromised intestinal health in diabetes which was exerted through a defensive stimulus on oxidative stress induced cytokines, inflammatory propagation, and subsequent injury.