Study of serum zinc, copper, magnesium, postassium and selenium in relation to serum Autoantibodies in siblings of type 1 diabetics

ABSTRACT

Aim: This work was intended to study the state of some elements namely zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium and selenium in sera of siblings of type 1 diabetic patients and its possible relation to some immunological markers. Subjects and The study included 208 subjects classified into 2 groups group I included 108 siblings of type 1 diabetic patients and group II included 100 control subjects matched for age and sex. All subjects were subjected to the following estimation of fasting and 2 hour postprandial plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance test when needed. Determination of serum level of zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium and selenium was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Measurement of serum insulin autoantibodies [IAA], antibodies to the protein tyrosine phosphatase-like proteins ICA512 [IA-2] and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies [GADA] was performed using radioimmunoassay [RIA] technique. The mean serum levels of zinc and copper were significantly higher [P = 0.000 for each], and the mean serum levels of selenium and potassium were significantly lower [P = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively] in type 1 diabetic siblings when compared with control subjects. Zinc and copper were significantly higher [P = 0.000 for each], and magnesium was significantly lower [P = 0.001] in the sera of siblings positive for IAA as compared to the seronegative cases. Selenium was found to be significantly lower in the sera of siblings positive for IAA, IA2 and GADA when compared to the seronegative cases [P = 0.000 for each]. Our results point to a disturbance in the serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, potassium and magnesium. These nutritional elements may contribute as an environmental factor, that in conjunction with genetic factors, triggers the immunopathogenic sequence responsible, preceding and/or associated with beta cell damage in type 1 diabetes or its complications