Abstract

High concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) have been associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), making lipolysis regulation a priority in these patients. Through its insulin-mimetic actions and phosphodiesterase induction, zinc could regulate FFA release from adipose tissue. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of 24 months of zinc supplementation on fasting serum FFA concentrations in patients with T2D. For this purpose: fasting FFA by enzymatic colorimetric, plasma zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and biochemical and anthropometric parameter of interest were determined in 60 T2D patients who were randomly assigned to 30 mg/day of zinc supplementation (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 24 months. The zinc group had lower serum FFA concentration at month 24 (p=0.034). Body mass index change, gender, and zinc supplementation contributed significantly as predictors of serum FFA concentration at month 24 (R=0.493, R-2=0.243, p=0.001). Conclusion: Supplementation with 30 mg/day of zinc in patients with T2D had a significant effect in reducing serum fasting FFA concentration after 24 months of treatment. These results support the benefits of zinc as coadjutant in T2D treatment.