Magnesium, zinc, and chromium levels in children, adolescents, and young adults with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Several trace elements are involved in insulin signal transduction and glucose metabolism. Our aim for this present study was to determine the levels of three important elements-magnesium, chromium, and zinc-as well as one oxidative stress marker-malondialdehyde (MDA)-in young type 1 diabetic patients at different periods of their growth, and to realize the relationships between trace elements, oxidative stress, and growth stages. A total of 88 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in different growth stages and 76 gender- and age-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. The levels of MDA were measured through HPLC using a C-18 column. Zinc, magnesium, and chromium concentrations in serum were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We found higher levels of blood malondialdehyde (MDA; p<0.001), significantly lower levels of magnesium (p<0.001), and no differences in zinc and chromium levels (p=0.153 and 0.515, respectively) in younger type 1 diabetic subjects relative to those of control subjects. Only 3.4% (3/88) of younger diabetic subjects exhibited hypomagnesemia; similar results were obtained when comparing different subgroups: children, adolescents, and adults. We also observed no differences in the levels of the three elements between the genders and among the growth stages (p>0.05) of the diabetic subjects. There were no correlations between the three trace elements and HbA1C, diabetes duration, and insulin dose/BMI (all p>0.05), but there was a significant difference between zinc levels and insulin dose/BMI (p=0.043) in the diabetic patients. We found elevated blood MDA, decreased magnesium, and no changes in zinc and chromium levels in younger type 1 diabetic subjects relative to those of control subjects. Only 3.4% of younger diabetic subjects exhibited hypomagnesemia. Whether magnesium supplementation is suitable for improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation will require confirmation through additional studies.