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Abstract
Free radicals have important roles in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. It has been well documented that there is a link between oxidative stress and secondary complications of diabetes mellitus. However, humans are well endowed with antioxidant defences, primarily by free radical scavengers, such as Vitamins A, C, E and some trace elements. Deficiencies of these micronutrients may increase susceptibility to this disease and the associated complications. In this study, serum antioxidant vitamins (Vitamins A, C and E) were estimated in 50 Type 2 diabetic patients using standard procedures, and the results obtained were compared with those of apparently healthy, non-diabetic subjects of comparable age and social status. Serum glucose level of the diabetic subjects (11.47 ± 1.67 mmol/L) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the value obtained for the non-diabetic subjects (4.16 ± 0.46 mmol/L). Vitamin A (14.38 ± 7.59 µg/L), C (0.66 ± 0.17 mg/dl) and E (0.51 ± 0.19 mg/dl) concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in diabetic patients relative to the levels of Vitamin A (44.12 ± 11.79 µg/L), C (0.97 ± 0.23 mg/dl) and E (0.68 ± 0.13 mg/dl) in control subjects. About 30, 36 and 12% of the diabetic subjects had severe Vitamins A, C and E deficiencies, respectively. These deficiencies may be contributing factor to the complications of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The outcome of the inclusion of vitamin A, C and E supplements in the therapeutic regimen for Type 2 diabetics in Nigeria should be studied so that health care providers could be advised. Key words: Nigerians, antioxidants, vitamins, diabetics.
Highlights
Recent research has shown that free radicals have important roles in pathogenesis of diabetes and a relationship between oxidative stress and secondary complications of diabetes exist (Singal et al, 2001; Mercuri et al, 2000)
The result of the body mass index (BMI) indicates that the diabetic subjects were overweight, while the healthy, non-diabetic control subjects were within the reference range for normal weight
Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in diabetic subjects when compared with normal control individuals
Summary
Recent research has shown that free radicals have important roles in pathogenesis of diabetes and a relationship between oxidative stress and secondary complications of diabetes exist (Singal et al, 2001; Mercuri et al, 2000). Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals which start chains of reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reaction, and as a result serve as reducing agents (Sies, 1997). Despite the inhibition of free radicals by antioxidants, there are several potential sources of free radical production in diabetes, including auto-oxidation of plasma glucose (1) , leucocyte activation, and increased transition metal bioavailability (Wolfs, 1991) which could overwhelm the body’s antioxidant defences. The total antioxidant status (TAS) in Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus is lower than that of age-matched controls, a finding which might be attributable to lower levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Vericel, 2004) or other factors including micronutrients in blood (Cunningham, 1998)
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