Serum chromium, glycosylated hemoglobin level and body mass index among control and uncontrol sudanese patients with type II diabetes mellitus: Correlation study

Background: Chromium is an essential micronutrient which is required for the normal functioning of insulin and regulation of blood sugar levels. It acts as a vital antioxidant for maintaining insulin homeostasis. In diabetes mellitus, the free radical production is increased and levels of antioxidants like chromium, vanadium, selenium and manganese are reduced.

Aim: To study the level of serum chromium level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with glycemic control.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty individuals were enrolled in this study, classified into 60 type II diabetes mellitus (type II DM) patients and 60 apparently health as control group. Serum chromium and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry and Ichroma. Results: The results showed significant decrease in serum chromium level in type II DM patients (0.0151±0.005) when compared with healthy group (0.122±0.691) with p-value (0.002). In addition to that there was significant decrease in mean concentration of serum chromium level in controlled diabetic patients (0.0206± 0.003) when compared with uncontrolled diabetic patients (0.0120±0.002) with P-value (0.04).Also there was significant positive correlation between chromium level and Body Mass Index (BMI) (R-value 0.450, P-value 0.014), and significant negative correlation between chromium level and age (R-value- 0.660, P-value 0.011) , a significant strong negative correlation between chromium level and HbA1c (R-value -0.843, P-value 0.0260).

Conclusion: The study concluded that, serum chromium level is significantly decrease in type II DM.