Trace elements concentration in adipose tissue and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a prospective adult cohort

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2021-10, Vol.286, p.117496-117496, Article 117496
• Main Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez, Celia, Gómez-Peña, Celia, Pérez-Carrascosa, Francisco M., Vrhovnik, Petra, Echeverría, Ruth, Salcedo-Bellido, Inmaculada, Mustieles, Vicente, Željka, Fiket, Arrebola, Juan Pedro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Chromium; Copper; Diabetes; Iron; Trace elements
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117496

The aim of this work was to study the associations of adipose tissue trace element concentrations with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) incidence over a 16-year follow-up period in an adult cohort from Southern Spain. 16-year T2DM incidence was gathered from hospital records. Chemical analyses of Cr, V, Zn, Fe, Cu and Se in adipose tissue were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable Cox-regression models were used. Complementary cross-sectional analyses with markers of glucose homeostasis at recruitment were performed by multivariable linear regression. Out of 214 participants, 39 developed T2DM during the follow-up. Adipose tissue concentrations of Fe (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.58, p = 0.057), Cr (HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.07–2.33, p = 0.022) and Cu (HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01–2.58, p = 0.046) were individually associated with T2DM incidence. When Fe, Cr and Cu were simultaneously entered in a model, only Cr was significantly associated with T2DM incidence (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02–2.76, p = 0.041). Furthermore, adipose tissue V (β = 0.283, p = 0.004) and Zn (β = 0.217, p = 0.028) concentrations were positively associated with β-pancreatic cell function (HOMA-β), while Se showed an inverse association (β = −0.049, p = 0.027). Although further research is warranted on the potential mechanisms of action, our results suggest that adipose tissue concentrations of certain trace elements (particularly Fe, Cr and Cu) are associated with the risk of incident T2DM, while V and Zn might have a protective effect. These biomarkers might complement prediction algorithms and contribute to identify patients with an increased risk of T2DM. [Display omitted] •Fe, Cu and Cr adipose tissue concentrations were positively associated with T2DM.•Adipose tissue Cr, Cu and Fe levels might be indicative of an increased risk of T2DM.•V and Zn concentrations were positively associated with β-pancreatic cell function.•V and Zn adipose tissue levels might have a protective effect on T2DM incidence. Adipose tissue trace elements such as Fe, Cr and Cu were associated with the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in an adult cohort.