Effect of zinc deficiency and experimental diabetes on glutamate oxaloacetate, glutamate pyruvate aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activities in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low dietary zinc intake and experimental diabetes on transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activities in rats. 8 week old male normal albino (Wistar) rats were fed diets containing either adequate (54 mg/kg) or deficient (1 mg/kg) quantities of zinc for one week. Ten rats from each group (n = 20) were injected with alloxan to induce diabetes. Control and alloxan rats were fed for three weeks and food intake and body weight gain were recorded daily and twice weekly, respectively. On day 28 the animals were killed and blood glucose, serum zinc, pancreatic zinc, serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase were determined after an overnight fast. Body weight gain of diabetic animals at the end of four weeks of dietary manipulation was significantly lower than those of the non-diabetic animals. Diabetic rats had higher food intake and lower serum and pancreatic zinc concentrations compared with non-diabetic rats. Dietary zinc intake significantly altered the body weight gain, food intake and serum zinc concentration of diabetic or non-diabetic rats. Serum GOT and GPT were significantly higher in alloxan-induced diabetic rats than in normal rats while the level of serum alkaline phosphatase was lower. The consumption of low-Zn diet led to increase in GOT and GPT, and decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, the combination of zinc deficiency and diabetes affects the activities of GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase, and it appears that zinc deficiency may lead to the development of severe diabetes.