The Effect of 8 Weeks of Zinc Supplementation and Aerobic Exercise on Plasma Glucose Level and Distribution of Pancreatic Beta Cells in Diabetic Rats

This aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplement and 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on blood glucose levels and distribution of pancreatic beta cells in diabetic rats. 60 matured male rats were randomly divided into six groups: healthy control (C), control exercise (CE), diabetic control (D), diabetic zinc (DZ), diabetic exercise (DE) and diabetic exercise zinc (DEZ). After 8 weeks, the rats received deep anesthesia and the pancreas was dissected and processed. Random sections were obtained and the number of pancreatic stained beta cells were counted. Blood glucose level (BGL) was measured in different weeks during the study. Statistical analysis of variance test showed the BGL drastically decreased in DEZ and DZ groups compared with the C, D and CE groups (P