Plasma Zinc and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Gorgan

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is may be associated with protective effect of erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) which causes the deletion of free radicals of superoxide. Trace element like Zinc has important role for doing normal cellular functions. Diabetes mellitus may be related to the changes of Zinc. The aim of this study was to determine the changes of plasma Zinc and erythrocyte SOD activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy control in Gorgan. Materials and Methods: This project is comparative study. The sample population were 50 type 2 diabetic patients chosen randomly from the patients referred to the 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan and 50 healthy people were included in this study (matched age, BMI and sex). Results: The level of plasma Zinc from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (116.78 ± 5.51 µg/dl) and control groups (146.86± 9.06 µg/dl) were determined, respectively. Erythrocyte SOD activity from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (675.34 ± 60.89 U/gr Hb) and control groups (1052.70 ± 52.76 U/gr Hb) were determined. Conclusion: The decreased plasma Zinc and reduced erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD) may predispose patients with type 2 diabetes to the development of cardiovascular complications. We propose that patients with type 2 diabetes may have supra-physiological antioxidants requirements. Supplementation with Zinc and other free radical scavengers such as vitamins E and C or foodstuff containing these such as tomato, oranges and similars have the potential to boost antioxidant defenses and thus may be important for patients with diabetes.