Serum zinc and zinc containing enzymes in diabetes mellitus.

Serum zinc and levels of certain zinc containing enzymes like 'lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and serum insulin were studied in twenty five normal and fifty non insulin dependent diabetics. Zinc estimation was done bp atomic absorption spectrophotometry, insulin by radioimmunoassay and the enzymes by kinetic method. The non insulin dependent diabetic individuals showed significant hypozincaemia (P less than 0.001) associated with significant increase in serum insulin and lactate dehydrogenase level (P less than 0.001). Malate dehydrogenase level was markedly decreased (P less than 0.001). There was no significant variation in serum total proteins, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels.