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

background the altered levels of some essential trace elements and antioxidant minerals have been observed in diabetic patients. objectives 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. patients and 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.