Association between rs13466632 in zinc transporter SLC30A8, glucose, insulin and zinc status in Mexican women

Abstract

The rs13466632 variant in zinc transporter SLC30A8 encodes for an amino acid substitution (Arg>Trp) in a zinc transporter that is mainly expressed in pancreas. This SNP has been associated with risk for type 2 diabetes in Caucasian and Chinese. Zinc is required for production, storage and release of insulin in beta cells. Deficiency of this micronutrient has been associated with glucose metabolism abnormalities. Low zinc levels are frequent among Mexican women. No studies have been conducted on the role of zinc status on the association between variation in SLC30A8 and the risk for type 2 diabetes, and glucose metabolism. A sample of 45 non‐pregnant adult women were included in the study. Fasting glucose, insulin, and zinc levels in plasma and erythrocytes were measured using standard techniques. The rs13466632 variant was genotyped by allelic discrimination. Genotypes followed the HW distribution. Associations between genotype and levels of the analyzed variables was explored using GLM using age, BMI and waist circumference as covariates, and genotype as fix factor. A significant association was found between fasting insulin levels and gentoype (P<0.05), after controlling for BMI and age. This association was not mediated by zinc status, as measured by the mentioned methods. No association was found between genotype and glucose or zinc levels.