English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes either by affecting insulin secretion or increasing insulin resistance. Oxidative stress is dealt by the body with the help of several antioxidant systems. The antioxidant levels in disorders causing oxidative stress such as diabetes mellitus are found to be low. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) levels are found to be depleted in diabetic groups when compared to control group comprising of healthy individuals. The activities of SOD and GPx are significantly low in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to determine the total antioxidant capacity and levels of antioxidants such as SOD and GPx in patients with type 2 diabetes and association between antioxidant levels and type 2 diabetics as well as type 2 diabetes with its associated complications. METHODS The study population comprised of 150 individuals, 50 subjects belonging to each subgroup of type 2 diabetics, and its associated complications and healthy subjects. The study was conducted in a tertiary care centre in Mangalore, Karnataka from September 2016 to December 2016. The antioxidant capacity of RBC, fasting blood levels of SOD and GPx were estimated by phospho molybdenum method. Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction method and Rotruck method were also used. RESULTS The total antioxidant capacity, SOD and GPx were lower among diabetics and diabetic patients with complications as compared to normal nondiabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS There is no significant difference in oxidative stress between patients with and without chronic complications of diabetes. KEY WORDS Antioxidant Levels, Glutathione Peroxidase, Oxidative Stress, Superoxide Dismutase, Nitroblue tetrazolium Reduction