Clarifying the Relationship of Serum Levels of Iron and Copper with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a widespread health issue where resistance to insulin action can result in increased blood level of glucose. In last decades, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus has dramatically elevated. Several research groups had reported that trace elements like iron and copper may be involved in diabetes mellitus pathophysiology. These essential elements may be also involved in development of vascular diseases and neuropathy usually seen in diabetic patients through binding to glycated proteins. The aim of current study was to evaluate and report any possible link between Type 2 diabetes mellitus development and serum levels of iron and copper.

Thirty patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis were included as case group; another thirty healthy volunteers were recruited as control group. The levels of copper and iron in serum samples collected from these individuals were measured by spectrophotometric method.

Serum concentrations of iron and copper were significantly higher in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients as compared to healthy group with P-value <0.0001 for both metals. No significant correlation was observed between serum concentrations of iron and copper in diabetic patients with P-value = 0.5644.

High serum levels of iron and copper may contribute to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.