Correlation of trace elements (serum zinc and copper) in type 2 diabetic patients with and without complications

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is supposed to be associated with alteration in the serum levels of trace elements. Conversely, research also suggests that imbalances of specific elements associated with the complications of diabetes mellitus. Copper plays important role in oxidative stress and it's one of the important factor contributes to aetiology of DM. And zinc involved with synthesis & secretion of insulin. So, we have choose copper and zinc to find association in diabetics patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional observational study total of one hundred and twenty (120) subjects were included and categorized into 3 groups. On the basis of screening, 80 patients were divided into two study groups: Group I (40 patients with micro- or macrovascular complications) and Group II (40 diabetic patients without complications). Group III include the 40 age and sex matched non-diabetic healthy control subjects selected for comparison. Serum zinc, copper concentration and HbA1c% (glycated haemoglobin) were estimated in all three study groups. Result: Serum copper concentration and HbA1c% were significantly (p<0> Conclusion: Alteration in levels of trace elements (like, Zn and Cu) are found to be important influencing factors for diabetic patients for developing complications. From the present study, it may be determined that altered levels of trace elements (like zinc and copper) may have contributory a role in the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 DM.