SERUM ZINC CONCENTRATIONS IN DIABETIC PATIENTS COMPARED WITH NON- DIABETICS IN ISFAHAN

To study the zinc concentration differential in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetics and borderline subjects in a sample of two hundred individuals under investigation, we gathered information on history and duration of diabetes as well as type of treatment and diet. In addition, capillary blood glucose and serum zinc concentrations were measured.The serum zinc level was higher in diabetic patients compared to borderline and non-diabetics. The higher level of zinc in diabetic patients may be due to their change of energy source and the lower phytate and higher zinc content of their new diets which consequently reduce the effect of this substance on zinc absorption. The reason for lower levels of zinc in the borderline subjects is not presently clear and needs further investigation.