Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats

Ömer Ünal; Adem Atacak; Elif Gülbahçe Mutlu

Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intraperitoneal zinc (Zn) supplementation on hepatic structural alterations, enzymatic antioxidant capacity, and metabolic regulation in an aged diabetic rat model. Methods: Female rats aged 18 months type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced using a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). The STZ+Zn group received 5 mg/kg/day of Zn sulphate intraperitoneally. Histomorphometric and histochemical evaluations of liver tissue were performed, including assessment of the N/C ratio and sinusoidal dilation, as well as staining with Masson and PAS. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse protein levels (PGC1α, FTO), while qPCR was employed to examine mRNA expression (HO-1, CAT). Results: Significant improvements in sinusoidal dilatation, increased N/C ratio, glycogen depletion, and fibrosis were observed in the STZ group following Zn treatment (STZ+Zn). In the PCR analysis, the diabetic group's depleted CAT and HO-1 expressions were restored by Zn, with HO-1 levels increasing to above those of the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the diabetes-induced elevation of PGC1α was normalized by Zn, whereas the suppressed FTO protein levels remained unchanged (p>0.999). Conclusion: In the diabetic liver of older animals, administration of a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal Zn injection improved tissue morphology, normalized PGC1α expression, and strongly activated the enzymatic antioxidant defense (HO-1/CAT) at the genetic level, although it was unable to restore FTO protein levels.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endocrinology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ömer Ünal ^*
0000-0002-4816-830X
Türkiye

Adem Atacak
0000-0001-7115-5235
Türkiye

Elif Gülbahçe Mutlu
0000-0003-2391-2152
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 11, 2026

Submission Date

June 25, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 5

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ünal, Ö., Atacak, A., & Gülbahçe Mutlu, E. (2026). Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(5), 884-891. https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS

AMA

1.Ünal Ö, Atacak A, Gülbahçe Mutlu E. Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(5):884-891. https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS

Chicago

Ünal, Ömer, Adem Atacak, and Elif Gülbahçe Mutlu. 2026. “Hepatoprotective Effect of Zinc in Aged Type 2 Diabetic Rats”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (5): 884-91. https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS.

EndNote

Ünal Ö, Atacak A, Gülbahçe Mutlu E (September 1, 2026) Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 5 884–891.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Ünal, A. Atacak, and E. Gülbahçe Mutlu, “Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 884–891, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS

ISNAD

Ünal, Ömer - Atacak, Adem - Gülbahçe Mutlu, Elif. “Hepatoprotective Effect of Zinc in Aged Type 2 Diabetic Rats”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/5 (September 1, 2026): 884-891. https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS.

JAMA

1.Ünal Ö, Atacak A, Gülbahçe Mutlu E. Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:884–891.

MLA

Ünal, Ömer, et al. “Hepatoprotective Effect of Zinc in Aged Type 2 Diabetic Rats”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 884-91, https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS.

Vancouver

1.Ömer Ünal, Adem Atacak, Elif Gülbahçe Mutlu. Hepatoprotective effect of zinc in aged type 2 diabetic rats. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 1;8(5):884-91. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA56NM37MS