Assessment of serum calcium, magnesium and zinc levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Ukrainian population

Abstract

Background. The research deals with the provision of calcium, magnesium and zinc in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose was to investigate the serum content of calcium, magnesium and zinc in patients with type 2 DM. Materials and methods. The open-label controlled study included 27 patients with T2DM. The control group consisted of 12 people without endocrine and somatic diseases. 70 % of patients had newly diagnosed DM; in others, the disease duration was up to 5 years. Most of the examined were of mature age, on average 61.83 ± 5.52 years for patients and 55.25 ± 5.52 years for controls. In the group with T2DM, women accounted for 62.96 %, among controls — 63.64 %. Anthropometric measurements and glucose indicators were determined according to a standard procedure. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, zinc in serum were evaluated by atomic optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (PerkinElmer Optima 2100 DV ICP-OES, USA) according to the original procedure approved by the Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the NAMS of Ukraine. Results. The level of fasting blood sugar ranged from 7.1 to 17.2 mmol/l and indicated the presence of T2DM, glycated hemoglobin was from 7.1 to 11.2 %. According to anthropometric data, the group of patients almost completely corresponded to the control group. Although a slight increase in body weight and waist circumference was registered already at the stage of initial diabetes, the level of triglycerides increased significantly, and the level of high-density lipoprotein decreased. A significant reduction in the levels of calcium and magnesium in the blood serum of patients with T2DM was found. The zinc content was at the level of the lower edge of the reference value in 44 % of patients, in the control group — only in 16.6 % of cases. There were no significant differences in this indicator in the observation groups. A high correlation was found between the studied parameters in the blood, as well as an inverse correlation between the fasting glucose level and the content of calcium and magnesium. Conclusions. A significant decrease in the level of calcium and magnesium in the blood of Ukrainian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found. There is a high correlation between serum calcium, magnesium and zinc levels in patients with T2DM. Significant risks of diabetes were revealed when the serum concentration of calcium and magnesium decreased.