Study of Serum Sialic Acid and Copper as Inflammatory Markers in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The study aims to understand the relationship between increased serum levels of acute- phase reactants like Sialic Acid (SA) and transitional metals like Copper (Cu) which are indicated to be associated with the etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its various chronic complications. Serum SA and Cu levels, measured colorimetrically using Ehrilch’s reagent and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) respectively among 30 cases each of type 2 DM with and without long-term complications, were significantly higher in all the cases compared to controls. The values are even higher in cases with complications, compared to diabetics without complications. Serum lipid profile was significantly altered in both the experimental groups. Serum SA and Cu levels are positively correlated to duration and degree of impaired glycemic status and altered lipid profile in type 2 DM. Measurement of these new serum markers can explain the inflammatory process, implicated towards the development of diabetic complications like cardiovascular diseases and microangiopathies thereby helping in early medical intervention.