Cross-sectional associations between plasma copper, zinc and prediabetes among rural Indian adolescent girls: baseline data from the DERVAN cohort (DERVAN-8).

Abstract

Copper and zinc are essential minerals for proper metabolic function, and their imbalance could potentially cause prediabetic conditions. We investigated associations of copper and zinc with glycaemic parameters in 1473 adolescent girls aged 15-18 years at baseline in the DERVAN cohort study. Anthropometric indices, glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin were measured, and prediabetes was diagnosed using American Diabetes Association criteria. Copper was positively associated with fasting glucose, insulin and insulin resistance, and inversely associated with insulin sensitivity. Zinc was positively associated with fasting glucose and inversely associated with beta-cell function. In multivariate analysis, girls in the third and fourth quartiles of plasma copper had significantly higher odds of prediabetes than those in the lowest quartile. Longitudinal follow-up of the cohort will clarify whether these trace minerals contribute to progression toward diabetes.