2005, Volume 11 No. 2

ARTICLE 6

Serum and Urine Levels of Chromium and Magnesium in Type 2 Diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria

Nsonwu Augusta Chinyere¹, Usoro Chinyere Adanna Opara¹, Etukudo Maisie Henrieta¹, Usoro Isonguyo Nathaniel^2
1 Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
² Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Alterations in trace elements have been reported in a number of disease states. Deficiency of some trace elements has been correlated with the presence of diabetic complications. It is not known whether differences in trace elements status are a consequence of diabetes and hyperglycaemia or alternatively whether their deficiencies contribute to the expression of the disease. The study was aimed at determining the concentrations of essential elements chromium and magnesium in the serum and urine of diabetics and nondiabetics in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. Serum and urine chromium (Cr), magnesium (Mg) and creatinine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum urea levels were determined in sixty diabetic subjects (29 males and 31 females) and forty age-matched non-diabetic subjects (15 males and 25 females), using colorimetric methods and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Body mass indices (BMI) of the subjects were also determined. Statistical analysis was done using t-test and correlational analysis. The BMI, FPG, and urine Mg were significantly (p<0.05) higher and urine creatinine lower in diabetics than nondiabetics studied. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in serum urea, creatinine, Mg, Cr, and urine Cr levels of both groups. A significant negative correlation (p<0.01, r = -0.441) was observed between serum Mg and urine Mg of diabetics. No association was seen between serum Mg and serum Cr levels and urine Cr and urine Mg of the diabetic population of the study. Diabetes enhances urinary magnesium loss but does not seem to affect serum and urine chromium levels. There is need for further study on the mechanism of urinary magnesium loss in diabetes.

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