Correlation of Serum Free Carnitine with Serum Ferritin and Vitamin C Levels in Type II Diabetic Men

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide. Type II diabetic patients are reported to have higher ferritin and lower vitamin C concentrations. Considering the role of ascorbic acid in carnitine biosynthesis and the limited information on free carnitine correlations with ferritin and vitamin C levels in diabetic patients without microvascular complications, this case-control study was conducted to determine ferritin and vitamin C levels in hyperlipidemic-diabetic men comparing to healthy controls; the correlation of free carnitine with ferritin and vitamin C levels were also studied in these patients. METHODS Thirty-five hyperlipidemic-diabetic and seventy healthy men, were included in the study by the convenience sampling method. Body Mass Index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, ferritin and vitamin C levels were assessed in both case and control groups; moreover, serum free carnitine was measured in both groups. Dietary assessments were performed using 24 hour recall and food frequency questionnaires. RESULTS Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and HDL concentrations were significantly higher in the case group. Mean serum ferritin concentrations were higher in diabetics comparing to controls (93.22±0.27 vs. 44.66±4.23 μg/l); whereas, mean plasma vitamin C in these patients were lower than the healthy subjects (0.68±0.07 vs. 0.89±0.05). Positive correlations were observed between free carnitine and vitamin C levels. CONCLUSION According to the results, it could be suggested that vitamin C supplementation in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia might be useful. In addition, inclusion of serum ferritin assay in routine evaluation of diabetic patients could be beneficial.