title: Altered Concentrations of Copper, Zinc, and Iron are Associated With Increased Levels of Glycated Hemoglobin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Their First-Degree Relatives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The altered levels of some essential trace elements and antioxidant minerals have been observed in diabetic patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to compare the concentrations of essential trace elements, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in the serum of patients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with those of their non-diabetic first-degree relatives (FDR) and control subjects. The association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and levels of metals was also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 46 subjects with T2DM, 46 FDR, and 50 control subjects matched for age and sex. Serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Fe were measured by colorimetric kit. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c were assayed using the standard kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An imbalance in the levels of the studied metals was observed in both patients with T2DM and FDR. We found significantly decreased levels of Zn and higher levels of Cu and Fe in the patients with T2DM and FDR when compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). HbA1c levels were positively correlated with Cu and Fe and inversely correlated with Zn in the patients with T2DM and FDR (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients with T2DM and FDR had altered contents of Cu, Zn, and Fe that might be a predisposing factor to the development of diabetes in future or vice versa the result of diabetes development. Impaired metabolism of these elements may contribute to the augmented risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus later in the life of their first-degree relatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atari-Hajipirloo
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khadem-Ansari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmi, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rasmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmi, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kheradmand
keywords: Copper; HbA1c; Iron; Relatives; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Zinc