Is Zinc Essential to Modulate Insulin Sensitivity

Non insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a public health problem because of its growing prevalence in most of the countries and its subsequent complications. Prevalence of diabetes in developed countries is estimated to be 2–3%. Diabetic complications are a heterogeneous group of clinical disorders affecting microvascular (retina, kidney and peripheral nerves) and macrovascular system. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in active population of developed countries. Epidemiological data suggest a strong relationship between the level of glycemia and the incidence and progression of the vascular diseases in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and NIDDM. The purpose of this review is to consider whether an essential trace element as zinc plays a role in the modulation of insulin activity. Actually, through the description of syndrome X, it is known that insulin resistance per se is correlated to vascular complications (Reaven et al., 1988). Therefore the importance of zinc in prediabetic states must be taken into account regarding its potential capacity to protect vascular tissues.