Zinc Intake and Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover in Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—To examine the relationship between Zn nutritive status and biochemical markers of bone turnover in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Serum osteocalcin, urine N-telopeptides, and dietary intake data, obtained by 3-day food records, were assessed for 66 individuals with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS—Zn intake correlated with osteocalcin in the group overall (r = 0.48; P < 0.001) but not with N-telopeptides. Examined by sex, both Zn and osteocalcin correlated for men (r = 0.57; P < 0.001), but the correlation did not reach statistical significance for women (r = 0.34; P = 0.09). A direct-entry linear regression model with osteocalcin as the dependent variable was performed. Duration, sex, A1C, insulin use per kilogram, total calorie intake, and Zn intake were entered as potential independent variables. The model was statistically significant (R(2) = 0.32; P < 0.01). Zn intake (P < 0.001), however, was the only independent correlate of osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS—This study provides evidence of a positive relationship between Zn intake and osteocalcin in type 1 diabetes.