Serum copper, ceruloplasmin and monoamine oxidase in diabetics with different times of evolution of the disease.

Resumo

In 103 diabetics simultaneous measurements of serum copper and ceruloplasmin were made, together with the determination of glucose, cholesterol and monoamine oxidase. These diabetics were divided in two groups: 53 had a diagnosis made less than two years ago, and 50 had diabetes diagnosed for more than 10 years. A control group consisted in 50 normal individuals. Copper and ceruloplasmin of diabetic sera are more elevated than in normal individuals. This elevation is statistically significant. There is a positive correlation between copper and ceruloplasmin, both in normal individuals and in diabetics. Serum copper is more elevated in diabetics with less than two years of evolution than in diabetics with more than 10 years of evolution. The opposite happens with serum monoamine oxidase. Serum cholesterol is not significantly elevated in diabetics.