Copper, Zinc levels of newly diagnosed type 2 Diabetic patients are better marker in RBC than in Plasma

Abstract

Humaira Binte Asad, Md Al Kamal Abdul Wahab, Shamim Ara, Farida Yasmin, Forhadul Hoque Molla, Md Fariduddin and Md Iqbal Arslaan

One of the greatest medical problems threatening the world today is Diabetes Mellitus. Aims of this study were to compare plasma, RBC Cu and Zn between healthy and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, also association of hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia with plasma and RBC Cu, Zn. Study was carried out in departments of Biochemistry jointly with Endocrine Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Thirty three newly diagnosed type 2 DM, thirty one age and sex matched healthy controls were included. Both Cu and Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The median value of plasma Cu in healthy controls was 942.00 ppb (ranging 846-1393.50 ppb), in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, 2739.00 ppb (ranging 1400- 5743.50ppb). Significantly higher level of plasma Cu was observed in cases (p<.001). Median value of RBC Cu of healthy controls was 1067.50 (ranging 423-2810.5 ppb) whereas that of diabetic patient was 773.50 ppb (ranging 52.50-2765.00 ppb). RBC Cu was significantly lower (p<.05) than the healthy controls. Median values of plasma Zn of healthy controls and type 2 diabetic patients were 777.50 ppb (ranging 621.50- 1018.00 ppb) and 703.00 ppb (ranging 472-930 ppb), whereas that of RBC Zn of both groups were 6984.00 ppb (ranging 5693.50-7796.00 ppb) and 5155.50 ppb (ranging 2820- 6153 ppb) respectively. The plasma and RBC Zn were significantly lowered (p<.001) in diabetic group. There was significant positive correlation (p<.05) between fasting plasma Cu and glucose, significant negative (p<.05) correlation between fasting RBC Zn and triglyceride in type 2 DM. RBC is a better marker to see the trace element status than plasma.

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