Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Zn and Cr levels in scalp human hair samples. Influence of age, gender and diabetic condition

National Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry. Sindh University, Jamshoro, Pakistan Governmem Degree College, Usta Mohammed (Balouchistan) Manuscript received 15 March 2006, revised 10 July 2006, accepted 14 July 2006 The pathogenesis of diabetics has been associated with changes in the balance of certain essential trace elements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Zn and Cr contents in scalp hair samples of diabetic patients of urban residents of Hyderabad city (Pakistan). Scalp hair samples were collected from 300 patients (162 male, 138 female) of two age groups (31-45, 46-60 yr), and for comparative study, 250 normal, healthy subjects (135 male, 115 female) of same age groups residing in same city were selected. All samples were washed with standard method, and digested the samples with wet acid digestion method using nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide (2 : 1) ratio. The resulted digests were analysed for Zn by name atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) and Cr by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ETAAS). Results were calculated in μg/g. The validity of this method was checked by certified human hair sample (BCR 397). The mean values of Zn and Cr of scalp hair samples of diabetic patients were altered and change in diabetic patients as compared to the control subjects of both genders. Mean Zn concentration in male patients, 179.6 and 67.57 μg/g vs controls, 230.0 and 206.1 μg/g, (p < 0.002 and 0.003) in both age groups respectively. The Zn level was also lower in scalp hair samples of female diabetic patient as compared to control, groups with (p < 0.001-0.005). The concentration of Cr in the scalp hair samples of the diabetic patients of both sexes were significantly lower as compared to the controls (p < 0.1101-0.003). Deficiency of both essential trace metals may play a role in the etiology of diabetic disease in the subjects of this study.