ASSESSMENT OF COPPER AND ZINC STATUS IN HAIR AND URINE OF YOUNG-WOMENDESCENDANTS OF NIDDM PARENTS

The concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in hair and urine were studied in young nonpregnant healthy women whose both parents were dia gnosed for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM descendants) and were compared with those of young healthy nonpregnant females with no family history of NIDDM or hypertension (non-NIDDM descendants) an d NIDDM patients. The concentration of Zn in hair in NIDDM descendants was significantly higher than that of non-NIDDM descendants (p < 0.00 1) and insignificantly higher than that of NIDDM patients. The hair Cu concentrations in NIDDM descendant and patients were significantly lo wer than that of non-NIDDM descendants (p < 0.001). Hyperzincuria was detected in some NIDDM patients and hypocuperuria in all NIDDM descend ants and patients. The data suggest that the young healthy NIDDM desce ndants possess high-Zn and low-Cu reserves in their bodies, and the ob served perturbation appears to be associated with Cu-Zn antagonism.