Serum trace element levels in obese and non-obese Type 2 diabetes patients

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and obesity worldwide is increasing day by day and this condition is becoming a chronic disease. T2D is closely associated with insulin secretion disorder or insulin resistance. Some trace elements linked to obesity and T2D may play important roles in fulfilling many physiological functions in the body. The aim of this study is to investigate whether high or low serum levels of certain trace elements are associated with T2D or obesity. Our study included 45 individuals who applied to the outpatient clinic of Amasya University Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Training and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine. Physical examinations of the individuals were performed, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were checked, and groups were formed as 15 T2D Non Obese, 15 T2D Obese and 15 control groups diagnosed with T2D according to ADA criteria. Trace element levels (Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn)) in serum samples taken from patients were studied by the ICP-OES method. After the data was organized in the Excel program, it was analyzed with SPSS 29.0 IBM. Serum Cu (mg/L) was found to be statistically significantly higher in the T2D Obese group than the control group and T2D Non-Obese group (p=0.004). When the groups were compared with Fe(mg/L) and Mn(mg/L) values, the levels of the T2D Non-Obese Group in both trace elements were found to be statistically significantly higher than the T2D Obese and control groups (p<0.001). When the groups were compared with the Se (mg/L) value, a statistically significant difference was detected (p<0.001). It was observed that the highest serum Se values were in the control group, while the lowest values were in the T2D Non Obese group. When the groups were compared with Zn (mg/L) value, no significant difference was found. According to the results of the study, significant differences were observed in the serum values of Cu, Fe, Mn, Se between the control group and the T2D Obese and T2D Non-Obese groups. These findings suggest that low or high serum levels of trace elements may be associated with adverse health conditions such as T2D and obesity.