Low level of serum zinc may be associated with early onset diabetes mellitus

Background: Zinc is an important element of our body which is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Low level of serum Zinc has been observed in person with DM. Very limited data are available regarding zinc level among young patients with newly detected DM. Aims: To determine the serum zinc level and its association with glycemic status in newly detected young patients with DM. Materials and Methods: In this observational case control study, 40 newly detected young patients with DM and equal number of matched controls with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), were recruited from the department of Endocrinology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to see the serum zinc level and glycemic status. Serum zinc level was measured by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Plasma glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method while HbA1c was measured using the national glycosylated hemoglobin standardization program (NGSP) certified Bio-Rad D-10TM Hemoglobin A1c Program 220-0101, USA. Results: Serum zinc level was significantly lower in persons with DM than NGT (DM vs. NGT; 0.87±0.10 vs. 0.93±0.12 mg/L, mean±SD; p=0.02). A significant inverse correlation was observed between serum zinc level & HbA1c (r=-0.370, p=0.019). Serum zinc level was significantly lower in low BMI group (BMI <23 vs. 23 kg/m2: 0.86±0.13 vs. 0.92±0.10, mean±SD; p=0.029). Conclusion: Serum zinc level was found lower in newly detected young patients with DM than NGT and showed a significant negative relationship with glycemic status.