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.