Zinc Alpha 2-Glycoprotein As a Biomarker in Children and Adolescents With Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Publisher



P Golpour PEGAH ; M Nourbakhsh MONA ; H Momeni HOSEIN ; Mr Azar Maryam RAZZAGHY ; M Nourbakhsh MITRA
Source: Journal of Diabetology Published:2025

Abstract

Aims: Zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein (ZAG), a protein similar to major histocompatibility complex-I molecules, fulfills significant functions in lipid metabolism and immune system regulation. This study aimed to examine the ZAG level and its relationship with metabolic parameters in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 77 subjects: 39 children with early-diagnosed T1DM and 38 healthy individuals (mean age: 10.4 years). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were assessed using enzymatic methods. The concentration of hemoglobin A1c was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. ZAG levels were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: ZAG levels were significantly higher in patients with T1DM compared to controls and could differentiate substantially between subjects with T1DM and healthy controls based on logistic regression analysis. ZAG levels revealed an appropriate specificity of 92.1% and sensitivity of 64.1%, which were significant for discriminating T1DM. It exhibited a remarkable positive correlation with body mass index, FPG, and LDL/HDL ratio while displaying an inverse correlation with TC and HDL-C. Conclusion: ZAG upregulation is an early alteration in T1DM and therefore may contribute to the pathogenesis of T1DM and early-onset dyslipidemia, making it a potential marker for T1DM. Long-term prospective research is suggested to establish the association between ZAG and the development and progression of T1DM. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.