Insights into the Age-Dependent Variation in Nutrition-Related Trace Elements in Diabetes Blood Using Total...

Area of Science:

• Nutritional biochemistry and trace element analysis
• Clinical diagnostics and diabetes research

Background:

• Alarming rise in diabetes prevalence in India.
• Essential to investigate nutritional trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Se) in diabetic adults.
• Understanding elemental concentration variations is crucial for diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine and compare the concentrations of key nutritional trace elements in the blood of diabetic and non-diabetic adults in India.
• To analyze age-dependent variations in these elemental concentrations across different adult age groups.
• To establish correlations between trace element levels and diabetes status.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 208 whole blood samples (104 diabetic, 104 non-diabetic) using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy.
• Sample dilution method employed for accurate spectroscopic analysis.
• Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics and correlation assessment.

Main Results:

• Mean trace element concentrations in diabetic blood: Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Se (mg/L).
• Significant differences in Zinc (p < 0.001) and Chromium (p < 0.05) concentrations observed in older diabetic adults (56-70 years) compared to non-diabetics.
• Identified age-dependent changes in element concentrations related to diabetes.

Conclusions:

• Trace element concentrations, particularly Zinc and Chromium, show significant age-dependent variations in diabetic individuals.
• Findings contribute to understanding the role of nutritional trace elements in diabetes pathophysiology.
• Provides insights for improved, age-specific risk factor management in diabetes.