Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Serum, Hair, and Urine of Obese Women in Relation to Body Composition, Blood Pressure, Lipid Profile, and Insulin Resistance.

Alexey A Tinkov,Joanna Suliburska,Anatoly V Skalny,Margarita G Skalnaya,Katarzyna Skrypnik,Jan Aaseth,Damian Skrypnik,Paweł Bogdański

doi:10.3390/biom11050689

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate serum, hair, and urinary trace element and mineral content in normal-weight and obese women in relation to metabolic risk factors. A total of 80 women aged 30–70 y.o. were enrolled in the obese group (n = 40) and normal-weight group (n = 40). Serum, hair, and urinary trace element and mineral levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. Body fat percentage was evaluated using bioimpedance. Obese subjects were characterized by significantly higher body fat percentage, blood pressure, serum triglyceride concentration, and insulin resistance. Serum Ca, Fe, Mg, Se, V, Zn levels, hair Fe, Mg, V content, and urinary Se and V concentrations were found to be lower in obese subjects as compared to lean controls. In turn, serum Cu and urinary Fe levels in obese women were characterized by a significant increase. In multiple regression models serum Cu, Se, and Zn levels were significantly associated with BMI even after adjustment for blood biochemistry, body composition, and blood pressure. Serum trace element and mineral levels also significantly contributed to group discrimination. These findings allow to propose that obesity-associated disturbances in trace element and mineral status may at least partially contribute to metabolic risk in obese subjects.

Highlights

Obesity is considered as a worldwide epidemic affecting 11% men and 15% women worldwide [1]
We have demonstrated that serum, hair, and dietary trace element levels are differentially associated with metabolic parameters in obese subjects [13]
We demonstrated a significant inverse association between serum Zn, insulin, and total cholesterol levels [29], altogether corresponding to the role of Zn and Zn-containing metalloproteins like Zn-α2glycoprotein in adipose tissue functioning, insulin signaling, and lipid metabolism [30]

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is considered as a worldwide epidemic affecting 11% men and 15% women worldwide [1]. Micronutrient deficiency is considered as one of the characteristic patterns in obesity due to increased consumption of refined foods [3]. Multiple studies demonstrated impaired iron [4], magnesium [5], and zinc [6] in obese subjects. Data on the association of obesity and selenium are contradictory and/or insufficient [7]. Accumulating evidence demonstrate that obesity may be associated with copper accumulation [8]. Multiple contradictions regarding the association between obesity and trace element status exist [9,10]. A significant proportion of contradictory results may be attributable to the use of various substrates and markers for assessment of trace element and mineral status

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion