ABSTRACT
Background: Zinc is important for insulin synthesis, storage and secretion. When zinc concentration decrease, there is a concomitant reduction in insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity Aim: To assess the effects of zinc sulfate on insulin sensitivity, leptin and androgens in obese individuals. Material and methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 14 obese volunteers between 21 and 30 years old, with body mass index (BMI) ³ 27 kg/m2. During one month, seven subjects received 100 mg/day of zinc sulfate orally (ZnG) and the other seven received placebo, as control group (CG). At baseline and after the intervention, insulin sensitivity was measured using a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Blood glucose, serum lipids, zinc, androgens and leptin were also measured in a fasting blood sample. Results: After the intervention, a rise in zinc concentrations from 11.8 to 16.9 umol/L; p=0.001 and in leptin levels from 15.2 to 27.7 ng/mL; p=0.029, was observed in the ZnG. No changes were observed in the CG. There were no significant changes in insulin sensitivity and androgens after the intervention with zinc sulfate. Conclusions: Zinc increased the leptin concentrations in obese individuals, but did not modify insulin sensitivity and androgens.