Association of serum zinc and selenium concentration with insulin resistance in apparently healthy adults

Abstract

Background

Zinc and selenium may be potentially associated with insulin resistance, but such associations have not been studied extensively. Zinc is a trace element and has a role in the metabolism of insulin, implicated in the synthesis, storage, and release of insulin, on the other hand, Selenium is considered an essential micronutrient for humans and has a role in insulin signaling, and also involved in insulin regulation. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association of serum zinc and selenium concentration with insulin resistance in apparently healthy adults.

Materials and Methods:

This study used a cross-sectional design and included a sample of 203 persons who were in good health. Measurements were taken to determine the levels of zinc and selenium in serum. Measurements were taken for fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. The measurement of insulin resistance was conducted using the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA IR).

Results:

According to HOMA-IR the incidence of insulin resistance was (26.11%). Each Age, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio were more in insulin resistant (59.96±12.28), (26.66±3.16), (0.93±0.05) respectively than insulin sensitive (54.19±9.88), (25.92±2.4), (0.91±0.05) with significant difference (p-value 0.013, 0.013, 0.029) respectively. Serum zinc concentrations were more in insulin-sensitive (87.12±6.87)   than insulin-resistant (84.05±8.29), p-value (0.036). HbA1c level, %, Fasting Insulin, and HOMA-IR were higher in the insulin-resistant group (4.95±0.49, 15.78±1.59, 2.45±0.29) respectively than insulin sensitive (4.79±0.38, 10.1±2.34, 2.2±0.51), p-value (0.033, 0.003, <0.001) respectively.

Conclusion:

Insulin resistance displays to be associated with the concentrations of zinc and selenium in healthy individuals.