Effects of arachidonic acid plus zinc on glucose disposal in genetically diabetic (ob/ob) mice.
OBJECTIVE
The present study is designed to determine whether arachidonic acid (AA) plus zinc improves clinical signs of diabetes in genetically diabetic ob/ob mice.


METHODS
In the first study, effects of acute administration of AA plus zinc on glucose disposal were determined in ob/ob and lean mice (n = 6 each). In the second study, ob/ob and lean mice were treated with increasing doses of AA plus zinc for 2 weeks (n = 5 each). Postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, three-hour-area-average above fasting glucose concentration (TAFGC), water and food intake, body weight and plasma insulin concentrations were measured.


RESULTS
Acute administration of AA plus zinc significantly increased glucose disposal in ob/ob mice. In the second study, postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, TAFGC, and water and food intake in ob/ob mice treated with AA plus zinc for 2 weeks were significantly decreased compared with those in mice given no AA. Plasma insulin concentrations in both lean and ob/ob mice were not changed by AA treatment in drinking water.


CONCLUSIONS
AA plus zinc in drinking water is effective in decreasing blood glucose levels in obese mice. These results indicate that use of these compounds should be considered as a dietary supplement to control hyperglycaemia in patients with type II diabetes.
Hwang
I K
IK
UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1742, USA.
Go
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VL
Harris
D M
DM
Yip
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Song
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MK
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005215:Fasting; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008820:Mice, Obese; D009765:Obesity; D019518:Postprandial Period; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015032:Zinc