Zinc-induced hyperleptinemia relates to the amelioration of sucrose-induced obesity with zinc repletion.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary zinc repletion can ameliorate sucrose-induced obesity. A positive correlation between zinc and leptin has been recently noted, and both are known as important mediators in appetite control. In this study, we examined whether the reported amelioration of sucrose-induced obesity by zinc repletion was consequent on the changes in circulating leptin levels.


METHODS
Mice with obesity that was induced by giving a 32% sucrose solution in addition to a semipurified diet were divided into two groups based on whether they had 20 mg/liter zinc supplementation in their drinking water.


RESULTS
As expected, the mice with sucrose-induced obesity had hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperleptinemia, and hypozincemia when compared with the mice given the diet alone. Body weight gain, body fat content, and food and sucrose intake tended to decrease but not with statistical significance in sucrose-fed obese mice with zinc supplementation. Nevertheless, some serum variables (glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and zinc) in sucrose-fed obese mice with zinc treatment were approximate to those values of the mice given the diet alone. Moreover, sucrose-fed obese mice with zinc supplementation had the highest serum values of leptin.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that the amelioration of sucrose-induced obesity by zinc repletion may be partly attributable to the hyperleptinemia induced by the mineral.
Chen
M D
MD
Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China. mdchen@vghtc.vghtc.gov.tw
Lin
P Y
PY
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D004032:Diet; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D014280:Triglycerides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019344:Lactic Acid; D015032:Zinc