Assessment of Heavy Metals, Trace Elements, and Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increasingly been examined within a broader biomedical framework that integrates environmental exposures and micronutrient balance. Evidence has suggested that chronic exposure to toxic elements—particularly lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—may intensify oxidative burden and disturb pathways essential for glucose homeostasis, while inadequate levels of essential trace elements including chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) can weaken antioxidant defenses and compromise insulin-related metabolic processes [1,2] . In this case–control investigation, serum concentrations of Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Zn, and Se were quantified in individuals with T2DM and matched healthy controls using validated atomic absorption spectrometry protocols. Oxidative stress was evaluated through malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, measured spectrophotometrically in accordance with standardized biochemical procedures [3]. All analytical steps were conducted under rigorous quality control, including matrix-matched calibration, certified reference materials, and precision checks.The findings reveal a consistent pattern in which individuals with T2DM exhibit significantly elevated concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As, paralleled by marked reductions in Cr, Zn, and Se. This biochemical imbalance was accompanied by higher MDA and reduced GPx activity, indicating a pronounced shift toward oxidative stress[ 4,5]. Collectively, these results highlight an interaction between environmental toxicants and micronutrient insufficiency that may contribute to the metabolic and oxidative alterations characteristic of T2DM.