Comparison of Plasma Glucose, Serum Ferritin, HbA1c and Serum Nitric Oxide Levels between Diabetic and Non Diabetic Individuals: An Indian Scenario

Aims: To estimate fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum ferritin, HbA1c and serum nitric oxide levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects and compare the values with non diabetic individuals and also to assess the correlation analysis between the biochemical parameters in type 2 DM subjects.

Study Design: A case control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out from June 2012 to June 2013 in Bapuji Hospital and Chigateri General Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.

Methodology: A total of 87 subjects were included in the present study of which 56 type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients and 31 control subjects. FPG, serum ferritin, HbA1c and serum nitric oxide were estimated in all subjects.

Results: Intergroup comparison of biochemical parameters was done by unpaired “t” test and correlation between the parameters by Pearson’s coefficient analysis. The estimated mean levels (mean ± SEM) of FPG, serum ferritin, HbA1c and serum nitric oxide in control group were 98.06±1.30, 84.6±6.61, 5.46±0.15 and 39.0±0.84 respectively. Similarly, in type 2 diabetic patients mean levels of 179.5±7.11, 457.9±53.7, 9.49±0.25, and 100.9±3.5 were obtained for respective parameters. Mean values of all parameters were found to be significantly increased In DM subjects (P=.001) when compared to control group. Moreover, Serum ferritin has shown significant positive correlation with HbA1c and serum nitric oxide in type 2 DM patients with ‘P’ value of .05.

Conclusion: The present study suggests that iron over load is one of the major factors in the pathogenesis of type 2 DM. Decreasing iron stores may reduce the oxidative stress, improve the vascular endothelial dysfunction and also improves insulin sensitivity in type 2 DM subjects.