Alterations in Serum Zinc and Erythrocyte  Reduced Glutathione Status in Newly  Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Dr.T.Angeline; Dr.AJ.Asirvatham; Dr.W.Isabel

Volume : II, Issue : VI, June - 2013

Alterations in Serum Zinc and Erythrocyte Reduced Glutathione Status in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Dr. T. Angeline, Dr. Aj. Asirvatham , Dr. W. Isabel

Abstract :

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disorder and it has been suggested that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Alterations in vital antioxidant trace elements such as zinc and low molecular weight antioxidants such as glutathione may also lead to oxidative stress. Fasting blood samples were taken from sixty patients with diabetes mellitus and sixty age and sex matched controls. Serum zinc was analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and erythrocyte reduced glutathione level was measured using spectrophotometer. The level of serum zinc was found to be low in type -2 diabetes patients when compared with the controls (p<0.05). Erythrocyte reduced glutathione level was also found to be decreased in type -2 diabetes patients when compared to controls (p<0.05). No significant difference in the level of zinc and glutathione were observed with respect to age, sex, diet (vegetarianism/non- vegetarianism) and body mass index between the patient and the control groups (p>0.05). Since both zinc and reduced glutathione have antioxidant properties, alterations in their level need to be monitored in individuals with type -2 diabetes patients so that further oxidative stress and biomolecular damage may be prevented by appropriate treatment