The role of zinc in the anti-tumour and anti-cachectic activity of D-myo-inositol 1,2,6-triphosphate

BACKGROUND: D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-triphosphate (α-trinositol, AT) is a polyanionic molecule capable of chelating divalent metal ions with anti-tumour and anti-cachectic activity in a murine model. METHODS: To investigate the role of zinc in this process, mice bearing cachexia-inducing MAC16 tumour were treated with AT, with or without concomitant administration of ZnSO(4). RESULTS: At a dose of 40 mg kg(−1), AT effectively attenuated both weight loss and growth of the MAC16 tumour, and both effects were attenuated by co-administration of Zn(2+). The concentration of zinc in gastrocnemius muscle increased with increasing weight loss, whereas administration of AT decreased the levels of zinc in plasma, skeletal muscle and tumour, which were restored back to control values after administration of ZnSO(4). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that zinc is important in both tumour growth and cachexia in this animal model.