Background & Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of zinc sulfate on blood biochemical and hematological parameters in healthy control and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Materials & Methods: Experimentally, 40 rats were used in four equal groups, including healthy control, healthy feed with zinc sulfate, diabetic control, and zinc sulfate. The alloxan 120 mg/kg with blood sugar over 140-250 mg / dL was intraperitoneally injected to induce diabetes mellitus. In addition, the value of 0.6 g / L zinc sulfate dissolved in tap water was used for three months to be drunk by the treated group. All animals were killed, and blood and pancreas samples were collected for necessary tests. Serum levels of alpha-amylase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were measured. Statistical data were analyzed based on the analysis of variance using SPSS software.
Results: Our data showed that in the diabetic control group, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL increased significantly and hemoglobin, hematocrit, and HDL decreased significantly compared to the healthy control (P< 0.05). Zinc sulfate consumption in these groups reduces total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and increases hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to the control groups. Microscopic examination of the pancreas showed that in the diabetic control group, the percentage of Beta cells was reduced compared to the other groups.
Conclusion: Our findings reveal that dietary zinc sulfate not only exerts no damage to bodies but also zinc sulfate as food supplement seems to have beneficial effects on biochemical and hematological parameters in diabetic and healthy animals.
Keywords: Alloxan, Zinc Supplementation, Biochemical parameters, Diabetic mellitus
