Assessment of Serum Levels of Magnesium and Zinc in Sudanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – in Khartoum State

Abstract

Background: The metabolism of several trace elements has been reported to be altered in diabetes mellitus and these trace elements might have specific role in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease. Objective: The aim of the study to investigate serum levels of magnesium and zinc in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Khartoum state. Method: Cross sectional study was conducted in Khartoum state from March to November 2018 in 90 subjects (45 diabetic patients and 45 age and sex matching healthy controls), both groups age ranged from 33 to 75 years. Serum magnesium, zinc, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and BMI were measured in both groups. Statistical was done by using SPSS version 20. Result: Serum levels of magnesium and zinc were significant decreased in patients (mean± SD: 1.95±0.09mg/dl and 0.236 ±0.093mg/l) when compared to controls (mean ± SD: 2.08±0.11mg/dl and 0.767±0.199mg/l) which P- value (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively). FBS and BMI were significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean ± SD: 181.6±60.0mg/dl and 26.5±4.1) when compared to controls (mean ± SD: 85.3±8.0mg/dl and 24.4±3.2) which P- value (P=0.000, P=0.011, respectively). Serum zinc level was significant decreased in type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin treatment (mean ±SD: 0.164±0.027mg/l) when compared to patients who were on oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) (mean ± SD: 0.257±0.096mg/l) which P value =0.005. However there was insignificant difference serum magnesium level in type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin treatment (mean ±SD: 1.96±0.06mg/dl) when compared to patients who were on OHA (mean ± SD: 1.95±0.10mg/dl) which P value = 0.740. There was negative correlation between serum magnesium level and duration of disease (r= -0.328, P=0.028) and no correlation with age, FBS and BMI (P=0.402, P=0.797, P=0.929, respectively). Negative correlation between serum zinc level and age (r= -0.354, P value =0.017) and duration of disease(r= -0.579, P value =0.000) and no correlation with FBS and BMI (r= 0.186, P=0.200, respectively). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetic patients had decreased levels of both serum magnesium and zinc. Type 2 diabetic patients treated with insulin had lower level of zinc compared to patients treated with OHA, while magnesium concentration is not affected by type of treatment. Both concentration of magnesium and zinc are negatively correlated with duration of diseased.