Frontiers in Endocrinology (Nov 2016)

Serum Zn/Cu ratio is associated with renal function, glycemic control, and metabolic parameters in Japanese patients with and without type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study

  • Hidetaka Hamasaki,
  • Yu Kawashima,
  • Hidekatsu Yanai

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2016.00147
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Background: Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetic complications by mediating oxidative stress. Both Zn deficiency and excess of Cu are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the relationships between serum Zn/Cu ratio and glycemic status, renal function, and metabolic parameters in patients with and without type 2 diabetes.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 355 subjects (149 type 2 diabetic and 206 non-diabetic) in whom serum Zn and Cu levels were measured at the same time. Associations between serum Zn/Cu ratio and clinical data were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. We also evaluated associations between serum Zn/Cu ratio and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and glycemic control by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: Serum Zn/Cu ratio was positively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate after adjustment for BMI (β = 0.137, P = 0.014). Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels were negatively associated with serum Zn/Cu ratio after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (β = −0.258, P = 0.032). In patients with type 2 diabetes, serum Zn/Cu ratio was negatively associated with plasma HbA1c levels after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (β = −0.239, P = 0.003). In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the highest quartile of serum Zn/Cu ratio was associated with a reduced risk of poor (HbA1c ≥ 7%) glycemic control odds ratio = 0.382; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.165–0.884; P = 0.025 in patients with type 2 diabetes.Conclusion: Serum Zn/Cu ratio was favorably associated with renal function in all subjects and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The Zn/Cu ratio, in addition to the individual serum levels of trace elements, is important for metabolism in humans.

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