Assessment of Zinc, Copper, Iron and Glycated Hemoglobin in Sudanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and their First Degree Relatives

Background An altered concentration of some trace elements and antioxident minerals such as zinc, copper and iron are found in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to assess levels of zinc, copper, iron and HbA1c in Sudanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their first degree relatives, as a predictor of gaining DM in future. Methodology This was a case control study which was conducted in Khartoum State Sudan from February 2017 to April 2017.35 patients with type 2 DM and 35 of their FDR, 35 non diabetic control subjects were recruited. Plasma iron was measured using ferrozine method. Plasma zinc and Copper were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. HbA1c was measured using immunoassay method. Results An imbalance concentration of the studied trace elements was observed in both patients with type 2 DM and FDR in comparison with control group. The mean of zinc was 0.260.44 in diabetic patients, in FDR was 0.330.48 while in control was 0.210.16, the mean of copper was 0.140.05 in diadetic patients, in FDR was 0.16 0.14 while in control was 0.180.14, the mean of iron was 97.51 36.36 in diabetic patients, in FDR was 100.8340.0 while control was 98.057.32, HbA1c mean was 11.2 2.6 in diabetic patients, in FDR was 6.11.1 while in control was 5.9 0.7. HbA1c was negatively correlated with Zn ( p. values = 0.380, 0.121), Fe (p. value= 0.849, 0.256) in the patients with type 2 DM and FDR. HbA1c was negatively correlated with Cu in patients with type 2 DM (p. value= 0.414) and positively correlated in FDR (p. value= 0.542). Conclusion There was no difference in zinc, copper, and iron levels between diabetic patients and their FDR, so they cannot be used as predictor of DM in them.