Effects of Smoking and Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus on Blood Trace Element Levels

Background: The connection between oxidative stress and trace elements is linked to various diseases and their development and consequences. This relationship is complex due to the alterations caused by oxidative stress.

Methods: A total of 100 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who never smoked, 100 smokers, and 90 diabetes patients who smoked cigarettes (D&S) were compared with 100 healthy subjects. Serum trace elements, glycemic profiles, antioxidants, lipids, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured for all participants.

Results: The results showed a high cholesterol level in D&S subjects (p < 0.01). Zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and chromium (Cr) were reduced in T2DM and D&S patients (p < 0.05). Copper (Cu) and Cr were higher in smokers and D&S (p < 0.01). Mg and Zn were correlated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the control group (p < 0.05). Zn was inversely correlated with glucose in T2DM (p < 0.05) and with MDA in smokers and D&S (p < 0.01). In addition, Cu and Cr were correlated with MDA in smokers (p < 0.01). Moreover, potassium (Kalium, K) was correlated with glucose in T2DM (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Decreased Mg and Zn in patients with diabetes indicate that diabetes may contribute to the decrease of these elements, whereas high levels of Cu and Cr have been associated with increased oxidative stress. This suggests that smoking is a major cause of oxidative stress.