Background: Zinc-finger BED domain-containing 3 (Zbed3) is a member of the zinc-finger domain protein superfamily. Recent studies have shown that Zbed3 is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, no report has demonstrated the association of Zbed3 with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in humans. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between Zbed3 and MetS in a cross-sectional study.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a Chinese population, including 167 non-MetS subjects and 144 newly diagnosed MetS (nMetS) patients. Circulating Zbed3 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between circulating Zbed3 levels and the components of MetS was assessed.
Results: Circulating Zbed3 levels were significantly higher in nMetS patients than in non-MetS subjects (134.6 ± 32.1 vs. 106.5 ± 26.1 ng/L, P < 0.01). Circulating Zbed3 correlated positively with markers of adiposity (waist circumference, P < 0.01). It also correlated with glucose and lipid parameters (increasing fasting blood glucose and triglycerides and decreasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, all P < 0.01) and blood pressure (elevating systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, both P < 0.01) and inflammatory marker (elevating tumor necrosis factor alpha, P < 0.01). The relative risks for MetS showed significant elevation with an increase in Zbed3 quartiles. Circulating levels of Zbed3 were progressively elevated with an increased number of components of MetS.
Conclusions: These data suggest that Zbed3 may correlate with the pathogenesis of MetS in humans.
Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-OCC-11001422.
Keywords: Zbed3; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome.