Serum Copper, Zinc and Cu/Zn Ratio in Diabetics

Abstract

Abstract:Background: The altered status of some essential trace elements and antioxidant minerals which observed in diabetic patients could have deleterious influences on the health of diabetics.Objectives: To estimate serum levels of Copper, Zinc and Cu/Zn ratio in type 1, type 2 diabetics and healthy subjects.Patients & Method: A case control designed study was carried out at the National Diabetes Center (NDC) / Al-Mustansirya University; on a total of 94 participants formed of 32 type 1 diabetics, 32 type 2 diabetics and 30 healthy control participants. Data collected about age and BMI; and blood samples examined for FPG, HbA1C and participants' samples of serum were examined for S.Cu, S.Zn by using atomic absorption technique and Cu/Zn ratio was calculated.Results: The mean FPG of type 1 and type 2 diabetics and BMI of type 2 diabetics show statistically significant difference from control group. Mean serum Copper of type 1 and type 2 diabetic’s show statistically significant difference from control group. Simple linear correlation and regression analysis of the FPG level shows strong positive correlation to the Cu and Cu/Zn values in all study groups; and negative correlation to the Zn values in all study groups. Also, HbA1c shows strong positive correlation to the Cu and Cu/Zn values among type 1 diabetics and control groups; and negative correlation to the Zn values among type 1 diabetics and control groups. BMI and duration of diabetes shows no correlation with the Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn values among all the study groups.Conclusions: Serum Copper, Cu/Zn ratio increase significantly more than healthy control subjects; while serum Zinc shows insignificantly reduced less than healthy control participants, both in type 1and 2 diabetes. Simple linear correlation and regression model analysis shows strong positive correlation of serum Copper and Cu/Zn ratio as well as strong negative correlation of Zinc toward the FPG values in all studied groups; furthermore, toward HbA1c in type 1 diabetes and control group.Key Words: Copper, Zinc, Cu/Zn ratio, diabetes mellitus.