OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of glycemic control, and zinc concentrations in blood and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in type 2 diabetes patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three individuals, aged between 25 and 59 years, were divided into the experimental group (type 2 diabetes patients, n = 36) and control group (n = 37). Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations, superoxide dismutase activity, and parameters of glycemic control were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean plasma zinc concentration was 74.1 ± 10.7 µg/dL and 68.8 ± 9.6 µg/dL, erythrocyte zinc concentration was 48.1 ± 9.5 µg/gHb and 41.2 ± 8.0 µg/gHb, and superoxide dismutase activity was 2248.9 ± 300.0 U/gHb and 2059.6 ± 285.4 U/gHb, in the experimental group and the control group, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes patients showed a positive response to oxidative stress due to adequate zinc concentration in blood and increased activity of superoxide dismutase, and the enzyme was influenced by serum insulin.
Diabetes mellitus type 2; zinc; superoxide dismutase; chronic hyperglycemia
