Oxidative Stress and Anti-Oxidant Therapy in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT
Alpha-tocopherol (A-T) ,ascorbic acid (AA),malondialdehide (MDA) concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were measured before and after a 60 day period to define the basal oxidative status in type 2 diabetic patients and to assess the effects of A-T and AA supplementation as an anti-oxidative therapy. The results were compared to those of 10 healthy volunteers. Type 2 diabetic patients were followed up for 60 days in four main groups. Glubornuride or insuline was given to all the patients. Group 1: No additional vitamin was given. Group 2: AA (1 g/day) was given. Group 3: A-T (600 mg/day) was given. Group 4: Both AA (1 g/day) and A-T (600 mg/day) were given. At the end of 60 days normoglycaemic (HbA 1c < 8%) and hyperglycaemic (HbA 1c > 8%) groups of patients were formed. Initial A-T and AA concentrations of patients were statistically lower, MDA concentration, MDA/SOD and MDA/GPX ratios were statistically higher than in the control group. SOD and GPX activities were similar to the control group. At the end of 60 days, normoglycaemic patients had significant increments in A-T and AA levels without any vitamin supplementation. Supplementation of A-T in combination in AA besides normoglycaemia restoration resulted in the highest significant increments in A-T and AA and the highest significant reduction in MDA levels. In conclusion: anti-oxidative therapy with A-T and AA may be beneficial in addition to glycaemia regulation.
Abbreviations: A-T, alpha tocopherol; AA, ascorbic acid; MDA, malon-dialdehide; SOD, superoxide dismutase; GPX, glutathione peroxidase; DM, diabetes mellitus.