image: This is a glucometer for measuring blood sugar. view more
Credit: Alexei Tinkov
Researchers from RUDN University and P. G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University have demonstrated the association between changes in the concentration of trace elements in blood (especially zinc) with prediabetes - a condition preceding the disease. The obtained data suggest that zinc metabolism disorders play an important role in the development of the disease. The results of the study were published in Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.
The one of the most important risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes is age over 45 years. Women are especially vulnerable in postmenopause, the final stage of menopause, due to serious hormonal changes. 180 healthy and pre-diabetic representatives of this group were enrolled in the study.
"The study was based on the existing data on the role of individual trace elements (zinc, chromium, vanadium) in the insulin signal transduction. At the same time, it is believed that a number of toxic metals (cadmium, mercury) contribute to the development of insulin resistance (insulin resistance of tissues to the insulin signaling) and subsequently diabetes mellitus type 2," says Alexey A. Tinkov, the one of the authors of the article from RUDN University.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease, affecting up to 6% of the worldwide population. There is an increase in blood glucose because tissues are unable to "grab" and utilize it. The main feature of this type of diabetes is the fact that the pancreas produces enough insulin - the hormone that makes body cells absorb glucose from blood - but the tissues do not respond to its signals.
Whether the disorders of trace element metabolism serve as the cause of insulin resistance is not yet well understood. New experimental data from RUDN University scientists suggest that a certain connection exists, although not for all elements (molybdenum, boron, strontium, and others) as shown in earlier works. The results of the research demonstrate the absence of significant changes for majority of trace elements studied, however in the case of zinc there is a 10% decrease of serum levels in women with prediabetes. It is well known that this element plays an important role in insulin synthesis in pancreatic beta cells and also enhances the susceptibility of body tissues to the hormone.
"The results of the study underline the importance of investigation of zinc metabolism in diabetes pathogenesis. Moreover, we propose that the assessment of its level in the body may indicate a risk of the disease, as well as demonstrate the potential of zinc-containing food additives as a preventive measure," concludes Alexey Tinkov.
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The work was carried out jointly by the Department of Medical Elementology of RUDN University and the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Applied Bioelectrometry of P. G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University, supervised by Prof. Anatoly V. Skalny.
Journal
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology