IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 15, Issue 7 Ver. I (July 2016), PP 66-70 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-150716670 www.iosrjournals.org 66 | Page Status of Serum Zinc and Magnesium among Type 2 Diabetic Subjects in Maiduguri Y. P. Mamza 1 *, Z. B. Abdullahi 1 , R. M. Gali 1 , DS Mshelia 2 , R.Y.Genesis 3 , S.A. Habu 3 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, 2 Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medical Sciences University of Maiduguri, Nigeria 3 Department of Chemical Pathology Laboratory, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Nigeria Abstract: Disturbances in trace element status in diabetes may contribute to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes and diabetes complications. This study was undertaken to evaluate the status of serum zinc and magnesium among type 2 diabetic subjects attending endocrinology Clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. One hundred and thirty (130) subjects participated in this study which comprised of eighty (80) confirmed type 2 diabetic subjects and fifty (50) non diabetics as controls. Glucose oxidase-peroxidase, Xylidyl Blue colorimetric endpoint and colorimetric test with 5-Brom-PAPS methods were used for the measurement of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum magnesium and zinc respectively. Student’s t - test and pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to determine the statistical significance. There was significantly (p<0.05) high mean zinc concentration in diabetics as compared to that of the controls (15.67±0.58 versus 12.67±0.55) μmol/L. However, no significant difference (p>0.05) was detected in the mean of serum magnesium concentration of diabetics and that of control subjects (0.79±0.02 versus 0.74±0.02)mmol/L. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.25; p<0.05) was observed between magnesium and age. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the correlation between magnesium and FPG, also no significant (p>0.05) correlation was also observed between serum zinc with age and FPG. In this study, zinc was found to be higher in diabetics as compared to controls. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Zinc, Magnesium, Correlation I. Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance, which may be combined with relative insulin secretion. The defective responsiveness of the body tissues to insulin is believed to involve the insulin receptor. However, the specific defects are not well understood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common. In the early stage of type 2, the prominent abnormality is reduced insulin sensitivity. At this stage, hyperglycemia can be reversed by variety of measures and medications that improves insulin sensitivity or reduce glucose production by the liver [1] Minerals are structural components of body tissues as well as involved in various processes like co- factor of several enzymes. They also play an important role in energy production [2]. Zinc is an essential trace element that is directly involved in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin, as well as conformational integrity of insulin. Zinc is also required for normal immune function, taste acuity and enhances the in vitro effectiveness of insulin. The function of zinc in the body metabolism is based on its enzymatic affinity and way of a zinc-enzyme complex or metallo-enzyme. Zinc is required for insulin synthesis and storage and insulin is secreted as zinc crystals. It maintains the structural integrity of insulin [3]. Zinc has an important role in modulating the immune system and its dysfunction in diabetes mellitus may be related in part to the status of zinc [4]. Magnesium plays an essential physiological role in many functions of the body. It may play a role in glucose homeostasis, insulin action in peripheral tissues, and pancreatic insulin secretion [5, 6], although the exact mechanisms are not well understood. First, magnesium functions as a cofactor for several enzymes critical for glucose metabolism utilizing high energy phosphate bonds [5]. Diminished levels of magnesium were observed to decrease tyrosine kinase activity at insulin receptors [7] and to increase intracellular calcium levels [6] leading to an impairment in insulin signaling. Thus, intracellular magnesium levels have been hypothesized to be important for maintaining insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle or adipose tissue [8, 6]. Additionally, intracellular magnesium levels may also influence glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells through altered cellular ion metabolism [6] oxidative stress [9], endothelial function, and the pro inflammatory response [10, 11]. Diabetes mellitus is associated with diverse clinical conditions; clinical assessment is focused on keeping blood glucose as close to as normal as possible. Disturbances in trace element status and increased