Cadmium-Induced Structural Destabilization of the Insulin–Zinc Complex Underlies the Paradox of Elevated but Dysfunctional Insulin
6 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Metabolomic and Chronic Degenerative Diseases, Physiology Institute, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Prol. de la 14 Sur 6301, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, C.P. 72560 Mexico
- 2Faculty of Nursing, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Av. 25 Pte. 1304, C.P. 72410 Puebla, Mexico
- 3Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP) A.C, 21 Sur #1103, Barrio de Santiago, Puebla, C.P. 72410 México
- 4Physiology Institute, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Prol. de la 14 Sur 6301, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, C.P. 72560 Mexico
- 5Faculty of Medicine, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Av. 25 Pte. 1304, Puebla, C.P. 72410 Mexico
- 6Laboratory of Chemical-Clinical Investigations, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, 14 Sur. FCQ1, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, C.P. 72560 Mexico
Abstract
Chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure, even in environmental conditions, has been associated with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd-induced endocrine–metabolic disruption remain unclear. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines in vivo, in vitro, and in silico analyses, we examined the effects of environmentally relevant Cd concentrations on lipids and glucose homeostasis, β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, and the biofunctionality of insulin-Cd complex. Male Wistar rats were exposed orally to CdCl₂ (15 or 32 ppm) for three months. zoometric, glycemic, and lipid parameters were evaluated, along with markers of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), β-cell proliferation (Ki-67), and survival (Bcl-2). Crystallographic, spectroscopic (UV–Vis, FTIR), and in silico analyses characterized the coordination chemistry of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ within insulin complexes, and the biological activity of insulin-Cd was assessed in diabetic models. Cd exposure produced a dose-dependent increase in zoometric and biochemical parameters, accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and impaired β-cell function. Isolated islets showed exaggerated second-phase insulin release and increased Ki-67 with reduced Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, suggesting compensatory β-cell proliferation under subtoxic stress. Spectroscopic and theoretical analyses support the possibility that Cd²⁺ substitutes Zn²⁺ within insulin coordination sites, leading to structural perturbations. In vivo, insulin–Cd conjugates exhibited diminished hypoglycemic efficacy despite elevated circulating insulin levels, indicating reduced bioactivity. In conclusion, Cd exposure at the experimental concentrations used in this study is associated with structural perturbations of insulin and markedly reduced biological activity, providing a plausible mechanism for Cd-induced metabolic dysfunction.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7.
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BibTeX
@article{moronigonzalez2026cadmiuminduced,
title = {{Cadmium-Induced Structural Destabilization of the Insulin–Zinc Complex Underlies the Paradox of Elevated but Dysfunctional Insulin}},
author = {Diana Moroni-González and Israel Quiroga-Montes and Fabián Galindo-Ramírez and Celso Enrique Cortes-Romero and Eduardo Brambila and Victor Enrique Sarmiento-Ortega and Samuel Treviño},
journal = {Biological Trace Element Research},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cadmium-Induced Structural Destabilization of the Insulin–Zinc Complex Underlies the Paradox of Elevated but Dysfunctional Insulin
AU - Diana Moroni-González
AU - Israel Quiroga-Montes
AU - Fabián Galindo-Ramírez
AU - Celso Enrique Cortes-Romero
AU - Eduardo Brambila
AU - Victor Enrique Sarmiento-Ortega
AU - Samuel Treviño
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - Biological Trace Element Research
DO - 10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7
AB - Chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure, even in environmental conditions, has been associated with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd-induced endocrine–metabolic disruption remain unclear. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines in vivo, in vitro, and in silico analyses, we examined the effects of environmentally relevant Cd concentrations on lipids and glucose homeostasis, β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, and the biofunctionality of insulin-Cd complex. Male Wistar rats were exposed orally to CdCl₂ (15 or 32 ppm) for three months. zoometric, glycemic, and lipid parameters were evaluated, along with markers of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), β-cell proliferation (Ki-67), and survival (Bcl-2). Crystallographic, spectroscopic (UV–Vis, FTIR), and in silico analyses characterized the coordination chemistry of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ within insulin complexes, and the biological activity of insulin-Cd was assessed in diabetic models. Cd exposure produced a dose-dependent increase in zoometric and biochemical parameters, accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and impaired β-cell function. Isolated islets showed exaggerated second-phase insulin release and increased Ki-67 with reduced Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, suggesting compensatory β-cell proliferation under subtoxic stress. Spectroscopic and theoretical analyses support the possibility that Cd²⁺ substitutes Zn²⁺ within insulin coordination sites, leading to structural perturbations. In vivo, insulin–Cd conjugates exhibited diminished hypoglycemic efficacy despite elevated circulating insulin levels, indicating reduced bioactivity. In conclusion, Cd exposure at the experimental concentrations used in this study is associated with structural perturbations of insulin and markedly reduced biological activity, providing a plausible mechanism for Cd-induced metabolic dysfunction. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05255-7.
SN - 0163-4984
SN - 1559-0720
ER -