title: Lower Plasma Zinc Levels in Hyperglycemic People Living with HIV in the MASH cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zinc deficiency is prevalent in HIV and hyperglycemic patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment to control HIV progression; however it increases the risk for hyperglycemia. The objective of this study was to assess the plasma zinc levels in hyperglycemic people living with HIV (PLWH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis was conducted on the data from the Miami Adult Studies in HIV (MASH) cohort in Florida. Patients were categorized into hyperglycemic group (fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL) and normal group (<100 mg/dL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma zinc status and CD4 levels were lower in the hyperglycemic group, however the difference was not significant. There was a greater percentage of plasma zinc deficiency in the hyperglycemic group (69%) compared to the normoglycemic group (64%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although not statistically significant, related biomarkers such as plasma zinc levels and CD4 levels were lower in the hyperglycemic group. This may be due to the role zincplays in the immune system. Due to the fact that there was a higher percentage of plasma zinc deficiency in the hyperglycemic group (69%) compared to the normoglycemic group (64%), it is important to monitor and manage blood glucose levels to minimize complications. Our findings along with previous findings suggest that zinc supplementation may benefit hyperglycemic PLWH.
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Florida, USA; Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (Crusada), USA.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sneij
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Sabrina Sales
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffanie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baum
keywords: Antiretroviral therapy (ART); CD4 count; Glucose; HIV; Hyperglycemia; Viral load; Zinc