Serum and Urine Levels of Zinc and Selenium in Diabetics in Calabar; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine the serum and urine zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in diabetics and non-diabetics in Calabar; Nigeria. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG); urine creatinine and serum and urine zinc and selenium levels were determined in 60 diabetic subjects aged between 35-75 years and 40 age-matched non-diabetic subjects using colorimetric methods and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The FPG; urine Zn and Se levels were significantly higher and serum Zn and urine creatinine levels lower in diabetics than those of non-diabetics. No significant difference was observed in the serum Se levels of both groups. A significant positive correlation (p 0.01) was observed between serum Zn and serum Se (r