Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity in diabetes and hypothyroidism

Objectives: This study analyzed the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and primary hypothyroidism on the activity of the delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) in human blood. Design and methods: δ-ALA-D enzyme activity was determined in normal (healthy) people (n = 29), compensated (DMC, n = 11) and non-compensated diabetic patients (NDMC, n = 23), and in patients with compensated (CH, n = 19) and non-compensated primary hypothyroidism (NCH, n = 10). The determination of lead, copper, zinc and magnesium was performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: This study shows that δ-ALA-D activity was decreased (P < 0.05) in situations associated to hyperglycemia maintained for long periods (HbA1c high). Another finding of this study suggests that states of hypofunction of the thyroid gland, when non-compensated, increase the activity of δ-ALA-D (P < 0.001). In addition, copper was elevated in HNC, zinc was diminished in DMC, HC and HNC, and magnesium was diminished in the HNC group. Conclusion: This result points out that there is a correlation among diabetes, hypothyroidism and δ-ALA-D activity.