Isotope dilution analysis for the determination of zinc in blood samples of diabetic patients

Isotope dilution analysis (IDA) based on solvent extraction has been developed for the determination of zinc in the blood of diabetic patients and healthy adults as controls. The method using Zn-65 as a tracer is based on the formation of a red colored complex with dithizone in chloroform which is measured by counting of the 1115 keV gamma-rays by gamma-ray spectrometry. Various extraction parameters such as pH, nature of solvent and amount of reagent were optimized. Zinc concentration in diabetic patients (n=10) was found in a much wider range (1.5-157 mug/ml) compared to those in healthy adults (3.1-95.9 mug/ml for n=5). t-Test of data shows 80-90% confidence limits. A comparison of mean values, 28.5+/-48.5 mug/ml for diabetics and 33.1+/-34.5 mug/ml for controls shows 13.9% lower zinc concentration in diabetics. No correlation was found with eating (vegetarian/nonvegetarian)/drinking or smoking habits, but in general, females showed somewhat lower concentration compared to those in males though population size in each case was very small.