INS and type 2 diabetes mellitus: In addition, zinc is closely linked with insulin regulation; it is important for insulin crystallisation, storage in the β-cells of the pancreas, and release into plasma.59–61 Zn2+ binding by HSA has also been shown to promote dissociation of Zn2+-stabilised hexameric insulin into monomers (the biologically active form of insulin) after exocytosis from β-cells.62 Thus, this is another pathway in which the interference of elevated NEFA levels with Zn2+-binding by HSA can negatively impact on T2DM.