Metal-saccharide chemistry and biology: saccharide complexes of zinc and their effect on metallothionein synthesis in mice

Monosaccharide (d-Fru, d-Gal, d-Glc, d-Xyl, and d-Rib) and disaccharide (Mal) complexes of Zn2+ were synthesised using different precursors and isolated in the solid state. These were found to be anionic with a Zn-to-saccharide ratio of 1:1 and 2:1 for monosaccharide and disaccharide complexes, respectively. Electrochemical behaviour in aqueous solution was studied by extensive cyclic voltammetric studies in the pH range 3.7–10.3. The effect of subcutaneously injected Zn-d-Fru, Zn-d-Gal and Zn-d-Glc complexes on the metallothionein synthesis in mice was found to be significant in the liver, but not in the brain.