Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in diabetes mellitus and that these metals might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease because of their diverse metabolic characteristics and functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the plasma level of essential trace elements, Chromium (Cr), Magnesium (Mg), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A total of 148 subjects consisting of 98 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 50 non-diabetic control subjects were recruited. The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after wet-acid digestion. Results reveal that diabetic status is associated with alterations of levels of analyzed trace metals. Significant (p<0.001) elevation of plasma glucose was associated with marked decreases in chromium (p<0.01) and zinc (p<0.05) with significant (p<0.001) increases in magnesium and molybdenum (p<0.001) levels when compared with the control. Prevalence of reduced levels of Zn was 65.34, Mg 18.22, Mo 12.87 and Cr 79.2% in diabetes patients compared with Zn 22.36, Mg 16.78, Mo 11.83 and Cr 22.00% respectively in the control subjects. The plasma level of glucose was negatively correlated with the levels of Zn, Cr, Mo and Mg of diabetic subjects. A positive correlation between zinc (r = 0.65, p<0.01), molybdenum (r = 0.57, p<0.01) and magnesium as well as between zinc and chromium (r = 0.53, p<0.01) was observed in diabetic patients. Overall, deficiency of both chromium and zinc co-exist in the diabetes mellitus patients studied and was associated with marked raised molybdenum with slightly raised magnesium.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (Odewabi et al, 2013)
The method is based on the principle that atoms of the element when aspirated into Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) vaporized and absorbed light of the same wavelength as that emitted by the element when in the excited state
Trace metals and glucose in diabetic patients and controls: Table 2 shows the level of trace metals and glucose in diabetic patients and control subjects
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both (Odewabi et al, 2013). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) begins with insulin resistance followed by reduced insulin production as the disease progresses and makes up 9095% of all diagnosed cases. Type 2 diabetes is associated with older age and obesity. Diabetes mellitus is a free radical associated disease with an increased flux of reactive oxygen species in the extracellular space and an alteration in the cellular redox system that results in a loss of reducing capacity, with repercussions on antioxidant defence system which includes antioxidant enzymes, vitamins and minerals (Zargar et al, 2002). Deficiency of trace metals may contribute to the susceptibility to the disease and to the development of severe mineral deficiencies in established diabetes (Adewumi et al, 2007)
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