Effect of glutathione on the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and sensory nerve conduction velocity in diabetic perineuropathy

Abstract

Objective To observe the change of oxidalive stress indexes in the patients with diabetic perineuropathy (DPN), and investigate the protection role of glutathione (GSH) on neuroprotective effect. Methods The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) were detected in 54 cases with DPN (DPN group) and 30 cases of health examination (control group). Fifty-four cases with DPN were divided into GSH group (given basic treatment and GSH 1.8 g/d) and CON group(given basic treatment and B vitamin) with 27 cases each by random-digits table. After treatment of 2 weeks, the levels of SOD, MDA and SCV were compared. Results The levels of MDA in DPN group were significantly higher than those in control group, while the activity of SOD was significantly lower than that in control group [(7.23 ±2.31) μmol/L vs. (4.87 ± 1.17) μmol/L, (59.72 ± 13.58) kU/L vs. (76.19 ± 7.55 ) kU/L](P＜ 0.01). After treatment, the level of MDA was decreased and the activity of SOD was increased in GSH group and CON group (P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞ 0.05). After treatment, the level of SCV was significantly increased in GSH group,while there was no significant difference in CON group (P ＞0.05). Conclusions Oxidative stress exists in DPN patients. The antioxidant treatment with GSH can improve impaired nerve and has a better effect of nerve protection than classical nerve nutrition therapy. Key words: Diabetic neuropathies; Oxidative stress; Glutathione