Plasma Zinc and Copper in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

A review of the literature indicated some disagreement concerning plasma zinc levels in diabetes mellitus. Diabetics of both sexes with all degrees of severity of the disease have been studied and compared with controls matched for age and sex. Plasma zinc estimations were performed using a simple dilution method and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Copper analyses were also carried out by a similar procedure. The results show that there are no significant differences in the nonfasting plasma zinc and copper levels between diabetics and controls.