ICP-DRC-MS analysis of serum essential and toxic element levels in postmenopausal prediabetic women in relation to glycemic control markers

Purpose: Assessment of the influence of prediabetes on serum trace element and electrolyte levels in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 80 prediabetic and 80 healthy postmenopausal women took part in the present study. Serum was analyzed for glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were also assessed. Serum levels of 28 elements were estimated using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry with dynamic reaction cell technology (ICP-DRC-MS). Results: Prediabetic women were characterized by significantly higher HbA1c, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, ALT, and GGT values. Of trace elements, only serum zinc (Zn) levels were significantly lower in prediabetics by 10% (p = 0.001) when compared to the controls. Serum Zn levels were characterized by a significant inverse correlation with HbA1c (r = − 0.205; p = 0.009), insulin (r = − 0.246; p = 0.002), and HOMA-IR (r = − 0.227; p = 0.004). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between serum Zn (β = −0.169; p = 0.031) and Sr (β = −0.192; p = 0.012) and HOMA-IR values after adjustment for anthropometric and biochemical parameters (p for a model < 0.001). Although serum Zn was significantly associated with HbA1c both in crude and adjusted models, no significant relationship was detected after adjustment for age and anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: Prediabetic postmenopausal women are characterized by significantly lower levels of serum Zn concentration, whereas serum Zn and Sr levels were inversely associated with insulin resistance. © 2017