ABSTRACT
Background: Selenium has been reported to be insulinomimetic and to reduce blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes.Material & Methods:This study describes an inverse correlation of serum selenium with blood glucose level. This is a case control study conducted among 30 low BMI and 70 normal BMI diabetes and 50 low BMI non-diabetic controls. Serum selenium concentration was determined by atomic absorption graphite spectrophotometry.Results:Serum selenium concentration was estimated to be 44�礸/L, 48�礸/L and 59�礸/L respectively in low BMI (<18.5) and normal BMI (18.5-24.9) diabetics and low BMI non-diabetics controls. A trend of inverse correlation was found between serum selenium and blood glucose levels. Serum selenium level at > 40 (41-60) 礸/L was found to be inversely correlated (p<0.05) with blood glucose level.Conclusions:Lower serum selenium was observed in the diabetic patients and it was inversely correlated with blood glucose level