Trace elements in early phase type 2 diabetes mellitus—A population-based study. The HUNT study in Norway

Abstract

Differences in trace elements levels between individuals with type 2 diabetes and controls have been reported in several studies in various body fluids and tissues, but results have been inconsistent. In order to examine trace element levels in the early phase of type 2 diabetes, we investigated the association between whole blood levels of 26 trace elements and the prevalence of previously undiagnosed, screening-detected type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted as a case-control study nested within the third survey of the population-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3 Survey). Among participants without previously known diabetes, 128 cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in people with a high diabetes risk score (FINDRISC≥15), and frequency-matched for age and sex with 755 controls. Blood samples were analyzed by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Associations between trace element levels and the prevalence of previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes were evaluated with multivariable conditional logistic regression controlling for age, sex, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, education, income, smoking and family history of diabetes. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes increased across tertiles/quartiles for cadmium, chromium, iron, nickel, silver and zinc, and decreased with increasing quartiles of bromine (P<0.05). After corrections for multiple testing, associations for chromium remained significant (Q<0.05), while associations for iron and silver were borderline significant. No associations were found for arsenic, boron, calcium, cesium, copper, gallium, gold, indium, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, rubidium, selenium, strontium, tantalum, thallium and tin. Our results suggest a possible role of bromine, cadmium, chromium, iron, nickel, silver and zinc in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Rosiglitazone-induced changes in the oxidative stress metabolism and fatty acid composition in relation with trace element status in the primary adipocytes

“…Concentrations of various trace elements including cadmium, chromium, iron, nickel, silver, caesium, lead, rubidium and zinc were investigated in patients with T2DM. Increased Cr and Zn levels were reported in T2DM patients (39,40). Also, we showed decreased Cr and Zn levels in the cells upon 0.1 mmol/L RSG treatment (Figure 3).…”

The Relationship between Dietary, Serum and Hair Levels of Minerals (Fe, Zn, Cu) and Glucose Metabolism Indices in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients

“…Recently, the HUNT3 study investigated the relationship between 25 elements and type 2 diabetes [ 7 , 8 ]. The authors concluded that elements such as bromine, cadmium, chromium, iron, nickel, silver and zinc may have played a significant role in the development of diabetes in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients [ 7 ]. In another study by this team [ 8 ], the prevalence of diabetes was positively correlated with the content of some elements (e.g.…”

Impact of Labile Zinc on Heart Function: From Physiology to Pathophysiology

“…Recent clinical studies focusing on population-based groups demonstrated that there are conflicting results associated with zinc deficiency and related symptoms in different populations [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Moreover, some studies showed a positive correlation between serum zinc and type 2 diabetes risks in either middle-aged and older Finnish men or the Norwegian population as well as in development of liver fibrosis in the Miami adults [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Additionally, Kunutsor and Laukkanen [ 49 ] performed a population-based cohort study in the same country and, due to their data, they suggested that a higher serum zinc concentration is positively and independently associated with incident hypertension in men.…”