Trace and toxic element patterns in nonsmoker patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, and fasting glucose

Abstract

PROJECT:Noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus is supposed to be associated with fluctuations in the plasma levels of several trace elements. There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus and that these nutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progression of this disorder.PROCEDURE:The aim of the present study is to compare the levels of essential trace and toxic elements including lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), silver (Ag), and mercury (Hg) in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (n = 31), impaired glucose tolerance (n = 20), impaired fasting glucose (n = 14), and healthy controls (n = 22). Plasma concentrations of the elements were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.RESULTS:The results indicated that values of lead, nickel, aluminium, copper, and chromium were significantly higher, but not above toxic levels, in the plasma of nonsmoker patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). The values for these elements were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients with impaired fasting glucose than in controls. Moreover, a statistically significant correlation was found between plasma levels of glycated hemoglobin and of some trace elements like lead, nickel, aluminium, copper, chromium, cadmium, and mercury.CONCLUSIONSThus, it was concluded that chronic complications of glucose metabolism disorders might be associated with alterations in the levels of some trace elements. Nevertheless, some more timely and extensive studies are required to clarify the exact mechanisms of each of these changes.

Comparative metal distribution in scalp hair of Pakistani and Irish referents and diabetes mellitus patients

“…In the present study, the correlation of essential and nonessential elements in scalp hair of DM-2 patients of both genders related to non-diabetic subjects belonging to Pakistan and Ireland was carried out. The results presented in Table 4 for healthy subjects and DM-2 patients confirm higher levels of Cd and Pb while lower values of Mg, Mn, Zn and Cr are associated with diabetes, which are consistent with other studies [31][32][33][34]. The results showed that the level of Mg was significantly lower in scalp hair samples of DM-2 patients as related to referents (P <0.001 ).…”

Role of heavy metals in human health and particularly in respect to diabetic patients

“…It is a part of many important metalloenzymes like pyruvate carboxylase, arginase, superoxide dismutase and glycosyl-transferase. It plays an essential role for the proper use of choline, thiamine, biotin, vit C and vit E. The Mn as a cofactor of enzymes is also involved in mitochondrial glycoproteins synthesis (Serdar et al, 2009). It is absorbed in small intestine, then bound to albumin in circulation and is transported to liver and excreted in bile.…”

“…Prevalence of these toxic metals in the environment is potentially alarming and harmful for human health (Schwarzenbach et al, 2010). They are common in the nature and present in air, water and soil, which increases the probability of human exposure (Serdar et al, 2009). Toxic metals react with various proteins in the body that may modify their functions and kinetics.…”

“…Uncontrolled pollution and industrialization might be a possible source to expose human population against toxic metals like Pb, Ni, Cd, and As. Some of the toxic metals are concerned to interrupt the glucose uptake and modify the associated molecular mechanism in glucose regulation (Kazi et al, 2009;Serdar et al, 2009). (Table 1) Fe: Fe is an essential transition metal necessary for the production of two important purposeful proteins like hemoglobin and myoglobin, which are involved in the convey of molecular oxygen during respiration (Ganz et al, 2006).…”

Health Effects of Metals in Particulate Matter

“…On the other hand, there is no evidence of higher levels of mercury in blood of diabetic type 1 or 2. A causal relationship between mercury and pancreatic dysfunction that leads to hyperglycemia and diabetes has been reported, but not all the diabetics have higher levels of this metal [123,124].…”