Study of some trace elements in diabetic nephropathy

ABSTRACT

Forty five diabetic patients and twenty healthy control subjects were studied in order to identify the changes in zinc, copper, cobalt and manganese and also, to evaluate the possible role of these trace elements in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Results revealed significant decrease in serum zinc and manganese in diabetic patients with nephropathy particularly those with marked renal impairment. On the other hand, serum cobalt and copper showed no significant change or correlation to the degree of renal impairment