English

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most devastating complications of diabetes. The prevalence of Diabetic retinopathy in India is relatively on the lower side as compared to the western countries. Indian studies have recorded prevalence rates of 34.1% and 37% in two studies from south India . Our aim of the study is to measure and compare the serum levels of zinc and magnesium in normal individuals and in diabetic retinopathy patients. We found that serum magnesium levels in diabetic retinopathy mean is 11.98 ± 2.20 μ gm/ml levels were significantly lower (P< 0.001) than the controls, the value being 18.89 ± 4.26 μ gm/ml. Serum zinc levels in cases were being 0.422 ± 0.182 significantly lower than the control group 1.10 ± 0.20 μ gm/ml. (p< 0.001). Hypomagnesemia may be implicated in the etiology of diabetic retinopathy by causing reduction in the rate of inositol transport, causing subsequent intracellular inositol depletion and inhibition of Na+ K+ ATPase activity thus leading to the development of this complication. Zinc has been shown to stimulate insulin action and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Its deficiency interferes with its normal physiological enzyme and hormone action causing impairment of insulin action and development of insulin resistance leading to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The decrease in these micro elements could be due to poor glycemic control, osmotic diuresis and altered metabolism.