A clinical study on trace elements and hyperglycemia levels in diabetics with allied complications

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a major endocrine and metabolic disease worldwide. Its related complications are neuropathy, nephropathy, macro and micro-angiopathy. Angiopathic complications for believed to be a major cause for morbidity. Hyperglycemia may lead to alterations in zinc and magnesium concentrations, availability for metabolic and homeostasis in body. The present study was done to understand the effect of glycemic control on zinc and magnesium availability in diabetics with angiopathic complications and non-diabetics with no complications from south Indian population were determined. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum and urine Creatinine levels, serum and urine Zinc (Zn), serum and urine Magnesium (Mg), were determined in 500 diabetic subjects with macro and micro-angiopathic complications (aging in between 35-60 years) and 100non diabetic subjects with no complications (over 40 years) in south Indian population. The FBS, HbA1c, serum and urine Creatinine, urine Zn and Mg levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in diabetics than non-diabetic subjects of both sexes. There was significant (p>0.05) differences in urine Zn and Mg levels in diabetics with poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8.0%, Male-Zn=8.65±0.57, Mg=13.65±0.67 and Female-Zn=8.77±0.47, Mg= 13.98±0.70) and those with good glycemic control (HbA1c<8.0%, Male-Zn=7.25±0.49, Mg=12.15±0.57 and Female-Zn=7.88±0.70, Mg=12.58±0.17), there was significant elevation observed in the urinary Zn and Mg levels in diabetics with poor glycemic control in comparison to the non-diabetics. A correlation was observed between HbA1c control and elevation in urine Creatinine Zn and Mg levels of the diabetics (both males and females) of the study indicating the risk and enhancement in angiopathic conditions. The results obtained in the study indicated that the female subjects both diabetics and non-diabetics were losing Zn and Mg in urine slightly more than the male subjects. Diabetes and poor glycemic control alters the concentration Zn and Mg in human body and lowering the availability of Zn and Mg for several enzyme activities and metabolisms as the Zn and Mg is lost in urine and contributing to angiopathic complications in those with low Zn and Mg levels.