Background & Aims: Understanding copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio's influence on diabetic complications could lead to more targeted therapeutic interventions, and preventive measures. This study compared serum Zn, Cu, and Cu/Zn ratios among T2DM individuals with and without retinopathy and nephropathy.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the individuals with T2DM participated between 2021 and 2022 at the Yazd Diabetes Research Center. A control group consisted of 30 people with T2DM without microvascular problems, whereas 30 people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 30 people with diabetic nephropathy (DN) were recruited.. Blood samples were analyzed for Zn and Cu levels. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS, utilizing Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Statistical significance was established with a p-value of ≤ 0.05.
Results: 41.76% of men and 58.24% of women were included in this study. No significant differences were found in terms of age. (P=0.128), BMI (P=0.210), and gender (P=0.057). Results revealed lower Zn levels in the patients with DR compared to T2DM (P=0.033). Cu/Zn ratio in the DR was higher than in the other groups (P=0.046). Cu/Zn ratio correlated positively with HbA1c (P=0.001, r=0.321). Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between the duration of diabetes, and Zn levels (r=-0.195, P=0.05), and between the Cu/Zn ratio and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) levels (r=-0.182, P=0.05).
Conclusion: The research identified correlations between HbA1c and GFR levels and the Cu/Zn ratio, indicating a potential relationship between trace element imbalances and the progression of diabetes. Thus, Zn levels decreased and Cu/Zn ratio increased across the DR group compared to the control.