Copper, Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Nickel, and Zinc Levels in Biological Samples of Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in diabetes mellitus and that these nutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease. The aim of present study was to compare the level of essential trace elements, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients who have diabetes mellitus type 2 (n = 257), with those of nondiabetic control subjects (n = 166), age ranged (45-75) of both genders. The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-induced acid digestion. The validity and accuracy was checked by conventional wet-acid-digestion method and using certified reference materials. The overall recoveries of all elements were found in the range of (97.60-99.49%) of certified values. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Zn, Mn, and Cr were significantly reduced in blood and scalp-hair samples of diabetic patients as compared to control subjects of both genders (p < 0.001). The urinary levels of these elements were found to be higher in the diabetic patients than in the age-matched healthy controls. In contrast, high mean values of Cu and Fe were detected in scalp hair and blood from patients versus the nondiabetic subjects, but the differences found in blood samples was not significant (p < 0.05). These results are consistent with those obtained in other studies, confirming that deficiency and efficiency of some essential trace metals may play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus.

Zinc and the aging brain

“…Low circulating zinc (in plasma or white blood cells) is common among hospitalized elderly patients and has been associated with many diseases including DM and AD (Walter et al 1991;Prasad et al 1993;Singh et al 1998;Pepersack et al 2001;Kazi et al 2008;Brewer et al 2010). However, in some cases (e.g.…”

Heavy metals, islet function and diabetes development

“…The studies that compared the levels of essential trace elements in biological samples of patients who have diabetes mellitus type 2, with those of nondiabetic control subjects, have suggested that deficiency and accumulation of some essential trace metals may play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus. 26,27 However, some toxic metals have been analyzed that the mean concentrations of these heavy metals were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of smoker and non-smoker diabetic patients as compared to control subjects, suggesting that toxic metals may play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus. 28 In the present work, we review the important roles of heavy metals in islet function and diabetes development in which the in vitro, in vivo or human evidences are associated with exposure to zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and nickel.…”

Diabetes Mellitus and Some Microelements

“…Chromium concentrations were significantly reduced in blood of T2DM patients as compared to control subjects of both genders but urinary levels of these elements were found to be higher in the diabetic patients than in the age-matched healthy controls [6].…”