Ali Husham, Al-Fartusie Falah S, Abduljabbar Rawaa Abdulameer
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Palestine Street, Baghdad, Iraq.
Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Palestine Street, Baghdad, Iraq.
Biometals. 2025 Aug 18. doi: 10.1007/s10534-025-00738-x.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Evidence suggests that trace element imbalances may contribute to the development and progression of DR. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of selected trace elements in Iraqi patients with DM, with and without retinopathy, to identify potential biomarkers associated with disease progression. A total of 120 participants were involved and divided into three groups: healthy controls (n = 60), DM patients (n = 30), and DR patients (n = 30). Blood samples were analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, and Al using flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. DR patients showed elevated levels of Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Al, and decreased levels of Zn, Mg, Cr, Co, and Mn compared to both DM and control groups (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Correlation analyses revealed distinct element interactions within DM and DR groups, particularly antagonistic relationships such as Cu-Zn and Zn-Co in DR patients. The study demonstrates a strong association between trace element dysregulation and diabetic retinopathy, suggesting that specific elements such as Cu, Zn, Mg and Co may serve as valuable indicators for monitoring disease progression. These findings strongly support further investigation into trace elements for the prevention and management of DR.
糖尿病视网膜病变（DR）是糖尿病（DM）的一种主要微血管并发症。有证据表明，微量元素失衡可能促使DR的发生和发展。本研究旨在评估伊拉克糖尿病患者（有或无视网膜病变）体内特定微量元素的水平，以确定与疾病进展相关的潜在生物标志物。共有120名参与者，分为三组：健康对照组（n = 60）、糖尿病患者组（n = 30）和糖尿病视网膜病变患者组（n = 30）。使用火焰和无火焰原子吸收分光光度法分析血样中铜、锌、镁、铅、镉、镍、铬、钴、锰和铝的浓度。与糖尿病患者组和对照组相比，糖尿病视网膜病变患者组的铜、铅、镉、镍和铝水平升高，而锌、镁、铬、钴和锰水平降低（p < 0.05或p < 0.01）。相关性分析揭示了糖尿病患者组和糖尿病视网膜病变患者组内不同元素之间的相互作用，特别是糖尿病视网膜病变患者中铜 - 锌和锌 - 钴等拮抗关系。该研究表明微量元素失调与糖尿病视网膜病变之间存在密切关联，提示铜、锌、镁和钴等特定元素可能作为监测疾病进展的有价值指标。这些发现有力地支持了对微量元素在糖尿病视网膜病变预防和管理方面的进一步研究。
