Is Serum Zinc Level Associated with Prediabetes and Diabetes?: A Cross-Sectional Study from Bangladesh

Abstract

AimsTo determine serum zinc level and other relevant biological markers in normal, prediabetic and diabetic individuals and their association with Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) parameters.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between March and December 2009. Any patient aged ≥30 years attending the medicine outpatient department of a medical university hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh and who had a blood glucose level ordered by a physician was eligible to participate.ResultsA total of 280 participants were analysed. On fasting blood sugar results, 51% were normal, 13% had prediabetes and 36% had diabetes. Mean serum zinc level was lowest in prediabetic compared to normal and diabetic participants (mean differences were approximately 65 ppb/L and 33 ppb/L, respectively). In multiple linear regression, serum zinc level was found to be significantly lower in prediabetes than in those with normoglycemia. Beta cell function was significantly lower in prediabetes than normal participants. Adjusted linear regression for HOMA parameters did not show a statistically significant association between serum zinc level, beta cell function (P = 0.07) and insulin resistance (P = 0.08). Low serum zinc accentuated the increase in insulin resistance seen with increasing BMI.ConclusionParticipants with prediabetes have lower zinc levels than controls and zinc is significantly associated with beta cell function and insulin resistance. Further longitudinal population based studies are warranted and controlled trials would be valuable for establishing whether zinc supplementation in prediabetes could be a useful strategy in preventing progression to Type 2 diabetes.

Interactions Between Zinc Transporter-8 Gene (SLC30A8) and Plasma Zinc Concentrations for Impaired Glucose Regulation and Type 2 Diabetes

“…At the same time, zinc is a critical component of the catalytic site of .300 enzymes, implicated in synthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin, as well as being a signaling molecule after insulin secretion (5). Some studies have investigated possible associations between zinc status and diabetes; most reported that patients with diabetes had lower serum/plasma zinc levels (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

Psychometric properties of VEAN-Hi (Valoración del Espectro Autista para Hispanos), Autism Spectrum Assessment for Hispanic Children (ASA-HiCh) A free open access instrument

“…A similar study in Iraq noted that receiving 30 mg of Zinc per day for three months for type-2 diabetics has beneficial effects in elevating their serum Zinc level, and in improving their glycemic control that is shown by decreasing their HbA1c concentration [14]. In addition, improved fasting blood glucose levels of up to 30% in patients with cirrhosis through supplementation of Zinc for 2 months has been reported [15]. A recent single blinded trial conducted in Sri Lanka by Gunesekara et al Zinc absorption is also know to be altered in patients with diabetes [13].…”

“…In addition, there is particular interest in the idea that oxidative stress is relevant in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its' complications. Impaired synthesis of enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, Zinc is a partof these enzymes' structures and its deficiency may impair their synthesis and associated with increased oxidative stress [15]. It has been long known that diabetes is accompanied by hypozincemia [16] and hyperzincuria [17].…”

“…Numerous studies have shown that Zinc supplementation improves glycemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes, with a resultant reduction in HbA1c of around 0.5% in pooled analysis [14]. A study conducted in Bangladesh demonstrated that individuals with pre-diabetes are also known to have lower serum Zinc concentrations compared to those who are healthy [15]. Furthermore, a recently concluded clinical trial on patients with pre-diabetes demonstrated that Zinc supplementation helps to reduce blood glucose and insulin resistance, while improving β-cell function.…”

Pharmacokinetics of zinc in pre-diabetes: a pilot study

“…The most recent evidence, including the present study suggests that hypozincaemia is also present even in those with pre-diabetes, hence preceding the onset of Type-2 diabetes. 17 Furthermore, Zinc supplementation has also been shown to improve glucose handling in pre-diabetes. 18 Zinc deficiency is known to have numerous detrimental health effects.…”