Mechanism of action of diabetogenic zinc-chelating agents. Model system studies.

Using model systems, we have studied the properties of a number of zinc-chelating agents which are known to cause diabetes in laboratory animals. The abilities to permeate membranes and to complex zinc inside liposomes with the release of protons are suggested as chemical properties that can enhance diabetogenicity. When such complexing agents are added to lipid vesicles at pH 6 containing entrapped zinc ions, they acidify the contents of these …