Effect of Copper or Insulin in Diabetic Copper-Deficient Rats

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Abstract
The effects of Cu and insulin on lipogenesis and glucose tolerance were studied using diabetic, Cu-deficient rats. Diabetes was induced by i.p. injection of 50 mg streptozotocin/kg body wt to rats fed a sucrose-Cu deficient diet for 7 wk. Five days later the rats were injected i.p. with [14C]glucose with either saline, insulin, Cu or Cu plus insulin. The disappearance of serum [14C]glucose at 30, 60 and 120 min postinjection and the incorporation of [14C]glucose into lipid of epididymal fat 2 h after administration were determined. The combined effect of Cu and insulin significantly decreased peak blood glucose at 30 min and increased the incorporation of [14C]glucose into lipid in the epididymal fat pad when compared to either Cu or insulin alone. The enhancement of glucose utilization may be due to a formation of a more stable complex which will increase insulin binding and/or decrease its degradation.