[Levels of Zn and Cu in the serum of a diabetic population]

The zinc and copper content in serum as well as glucose and insulin was determined in 140 diabetics and compared with the results obtained from 162 healthy patients. Their mean values are significantly different. Each group was classified accordingly to the presence or not of overweight (greater than 15% relative body weight). The correlations (Pearson. Anova) between the different parameters in each group were studied. Healthy group showed a negative correlationship between the zinc and insulin levels and between the latter and the copper level, and a positive one between copper and every other parameter. Obesity only affected the zinc levels in diabetics and increased them in a statistically significant way. In this group, the copper level showed a positive correlation with the zinc level and the latter with the glucose. Owing to these results zinc and copper levels seem to be directly correlated and in diabetic patients these levels are increased mainly in the case of obesity. In healthy patients zinc levels are correlated with serum insulin, and in the diabetic groups with serum glucose.