Abstract:
Objective: Free iron is involved in processes including oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin resistance which play key roles in the development of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of body iron stores in metabolic control, insulin resistance and microalbuminuria.
Materials and Methods: Our study included 50 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy subjects as controls. Groups were compared for sex, age, body mass index, various biochemical and metabolic parameters. Correlation between these parameters with mean ferritin levels of patients was also calculated. Diabetic patients were grouped according to metabolic control, insulin resistance and microalbuminuria and the correlation between these paremeters and ferritin level was analyzed.
Results: There was no difference in mean ferritin levels between two groups In the patient group, significant correlation was determined between mean ferritin level and fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, C-peptide, insulin andHOMAscore. There was no difference in mean ferritin levels between diabetic patients with good or bad metabolic control. The mean ferritin level was significantly higher in diabetic patients with insulin resistance than non-insulin resistant diabetics. Mean ferritin level was significantly higher in microalbuminuric patients.
Conclusion: Our findings support that body iron stores are involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
