ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases with a significant genetic component. Its pathophysiology primarily reflects an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, but other secondary hormonal and biochemical imbalances are also seen. It has been shown that trace elements may influence hormone secretion and action and that trace element metabolism is regulated to a significant extent by hormonal influences. 1 Aberrant trace element metabolism has been reported to occur in diabetes mellitus. The hormone and trace element interactions which have been suggested to occur in diabetes mellitus are reviewed here.
