Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein, dysglycaemia and insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adipokines #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #female #humans #insulin-resistance

Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein, dysglycaemia and insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pearsey et al., 2020 | Rev Endocr Metab Disord | Meta Analysis

Citation

Pearsey Harriet M, Henson Joseph, ... Yates Thomas E. Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein, dysglycaemia and insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2020-Dec;21(4):569-575. doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09553-w

Abstract

To systematically review the current literature investigating associations between zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) and dysglycaemia (including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), poly-cystic-ovary syndrome (PCOS), pre-diabetes or insulin resistance). This included relationships between ZAG and continuous measures of insulin and glucose. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the extent that ZAG differs between individuals with or without dysglycaemia; whilst examining the potential influence of adiposity. A systematic search was performed on four databases for studies on circulating ZAG concentrations in adult human populations, comparing healthy controls to individuals with dysglycaemia. Key characteristics, including the mean ZAG concentrations (mg∙L-1), and any correlational statistics between ZAG and continuous measures of glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) or insulin were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed to compare metabolically healthy controls to cases, and on studies that compared controls and cases considered overweight or obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg.m2). 1575 papers were identified and 14 studies (16 cohorts) were considered eligible for inclusion. Circulating ZAG was lower in individuals with dysglycaemia compared to metabolically healthy controls (-4.14 [-8.17, -0.11] mg.L-1; I2 = 98.5%; p < 0.001). When using data from only studies with overweight or obese groups with or without dysglycaemia (three studies (four cohorts); pooled n = 332), the difference in circulating ZAG was no longer significant (-0.30 [-3.67, 3.07] mg. L-1; I2 = 28.0%; p = 0.225). These data suggest that ZAG may be implicated in dysglycaemia, although there was significant heterogeneity across different studies and the mediating effect of adiposity cannot be excluded. Therefore, more research is needed before robust conclusions can be drawn.

Key Findings

Therefore, more research is needed before robust conclusions can be drawn.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population adult human
Sample Size 332
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Adipokines
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Overweight
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Prediabetic State
  • Zn-Alpha-2-Glycoprotein

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09