URINARY EXCRETION OF ZINC, CHROMIUM, COBALT AND MANGANESE IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Background: It is speculated that trace elements might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progression towards type-2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to determine the urinary excretion of zinc, chromium, cobalt and manganese in healthy adults. Material & Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan from January 1, 2013 to July 31, 2013. Sample size was 200 individuals selected through convenient technique from seven divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provence. All adults healthy were eligible for inclusion in the study, while those with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart diseases, pregnancy, endocrine disorders and malignancies were excluded from the study. Relevant history was recorded on a structured performa. Demographic variables were gender and age in years. Research variables were levels of urine zinc, chromium, manganese and cobalt. All were numeric variables except gender being nominal. Frequencies & percentages for nominal & mean/sds for numeric variables were calculated. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 33.39 +/- 9.62 years. Out of 200 individuals, 104 were males & 96 females. Urinary excretion of zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) in males was 3.05 +/- 2.75 mg/L, 0.89 +/- 0.69 mu g/L, 1.75 +/- 1.48 mu g/L and 0.04 +/- 0.02 mu g/L respectively. While in females urinary excretion of Zn was 3.16 +/- 2.84 mg/L, Cr 0.82 +/- 0.63 mu g/L, Co 1.73 +/- 1.19 mu g/L and Mn was 0.03 +/- 0.02 mu g/L. Conclusion: Urinary excretion of zinc, chromium, cobalt and manganese in healthy adults need to be monitored properly to avoid health problems in future.