Correlation of HbA[1c] with zinc and magnesium levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

To determine the plasma levels of Zn and Mg in Type 2 Diabetic patients with HbA[1c] >8% and <8% and to determine the correlation of Zn and Mg with HbA[1c]. A total population of 60 patients of Type 2 DM and 30 normal healthy control subjects were included in this study. Three ml of blood was collected in EDTA vacutainer tube [BD vacutainer] for determination of HbA[1c] and 6 ml blood was collected in EDTA vacutainer tube [BD vacutainer] for determination of Zn and Mg, HbA[1c] was performed on Bio Rad D10 hemoglobin testing system. Zn and Mg were measured on ContrAA 700 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The age range of the patients and controls was 40 to 60 years. The mean age of the patients was 51.7 +/- 7.1 year and mean age of the control subjects was 46.7 +/- 7.2 years. Statistically significant differences were observed between levels of HbA[1c], Zn and Mg in patients and control groups [p < 0.05]. Mean Plasma Zn and Mg levels were low in Diabetic patients than in control group. We also found that diabetic patients with HbA[1c] >8% have lower levels of Zn and Mg as compared to diabetic patients with HbA[1c] <8%. A significant negative correlation of HbA[1c] with Zn and Mg was also observed. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is associated with the deficiency of Zn and Mg. Patients with poor giycemic control have more severe deficiency of Zn and Mg than patients with good giycemic control. HbA[1c] levels correlate negatively with Zn and Mg in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus