Potential of zinc supplementation in the prevention of complications of experimental pregestational diabetes
Keywords:
streptozotocin, experimental diabetes, zinc sulfate, gestation, offspringAbstract
Introduction: Zinc deficiency in diabetic pregnant may contribute to the high incidence of maternal and feto-placental abnormalities, but optimal methods for supplementation during pregnancy remain undefined.
Objectives: To select an experimental model that reproduces the characteristics of diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia to evaluate the effect of a zinc supplement in pregnant rats and their fetuses.
Methods: An induction scheme with subcutaneous injection of streptozotocin (STZ-100 mg/kg-bw) on the second day after birth was selected and the pregnant rat and its fetuses were studied. Subsequently, it was evaluated the effect of a zinc supplement (ZnSO4-50 mg/kg-bw) administered during pregnancy.
Results: Pregnant diabetic rats showed alterations in reproductive performance, metabolic and redox status. Their fetuses presented abnormalities in embryo-fetal annexes, growth restriction, decreased tissue glutathione, and placental histopathological changes that impaired intrauterine development. In diabetic rats supplemented with zinc, glycemic control and general metabolic status improved. Reabsorptions and malformations decreased. They were obtained both, an adequate weight for gestational age and a fetal ossification pattern similar to that of controls. Placental efficiency increased and the placental cyto-architecture presented a similar appearance to normal.
Conclusions: The evaluation of the experimental model provided new knowledge about the integrated response of the organism to moderate hyperglycemia in pregnant rats and their offspring at the fetal stage. It was provided evidence on the positive effects of zinc supplementation in reducing the teratogenicity of pregestational diabetes.
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