Zinc and blood sugar in people at risk for diabetes
Official title: Clinical and Nutrigenetic Assessment of Zinc in Patients with Prediabetes
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11374956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will look at how zinc levels and genes that control zinc in the body relate to blood sugar and prediabetes in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,654 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136529-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes who are willing to provide blood samples and participate in metabolic assessments.
✕Less likely to help
People without prediabetes or early diabetes or those unwilling to provide biological samples may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study focuses on adults with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes to understand how zinc and genetic factors affect insulin that controls blood sugar. Researchers will measure zinc status, insulin production, and blood glucose patterns, and they will analyze genetic variants related to zinc transport. The goal is to identify whether zinc nutrition and genetics influence progression toward diabetes and related health risks. Participants may undergo blood tests and non-invasive assessments to gauge metabolic responses over time. The findings could inform future dietary or supplement strategies for preventing diabetes progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could guide personalized nutrition or treatment strategies to slow or prevent progression from prediabetes to diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests zinc and insulin pathways influence glucose metabolism, but direct links in prediabetes require confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollin, Toni I. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Pollin, Toni I.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.