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Correlation between microalbuminuria and urinary copper in type two diabetic patients
Afsaneh Talaei1, Saber Jabari, Mohamad Hasan Bigdeli
1Department of Endocrinology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 27, 2011
Summary
Type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria exhibit higher urinary copper levels compared to those without albuminuria. This finding suggests a potential link between copper excretion and diabetic nephropathy progression.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is linked to chronic complications, potentially involving altered trace element levels.
- Copper is a trace element whose levels in plasma, tissue, and urine may change in diabetic patients.
- Microalbuminuria is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy, indicating kidney damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate 24-hour urinary copper levels in type 2 diabetic patients.
- To compare urinary copper excretion between diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria.
- To explore the relationship between urinary copper and diabetic nephropathy markers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Recruitment of type 2 diabetic patients with (cases) and without (controls) microalbuminuria.
- Measurement of 24-hour urinary copper levels.
Main Results:
- Forty-two patients with microalbuminuria and 40 without participated.
- Mean urinary copper levels were significantly higher in the microalbuminuria group (36.14 μcg/L) versus the control group (14.77 μcg/L) (P = 0.003).
- Diabetes duration and HbA1c levels did not significantly affect urinary copper excretion.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria demonstrate increased urinary copper excretion.
- Elevated urinary copper may play a role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
- Further research is needed to understand the toxic effects of high copper excretion in diabetic nephropathy.
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